Stage 4: Dunkirk – Calais
In the fourth stage of the race, anticipation centers on how the course will unfold among the windswept flats and coastal towns. The organizers have aimed to minimize any strategic dead ends, yet the route remains ripe for dramatic pressure from peloton groups and breakaways alike. A final push along the fringe of the sea could upend plans for a smooth arrival if the wind shifts and unsettles the sprint forecast. The stage is designed to test sprint teams and protect the spectacle of a dramatic finish, while still offering room for tactical surprises that only a race of this caliber can provide.
But should the teams decide to front-load the effort, the 171.5km link between Dunkerque and Calais could still culminate in a high-octane sprint on day one in France. The parcours sits on the cusp of a day traditionally defined by a cobbled challenge later in the week, yet the early sprint possibility adds another layer of strategy for riders and teams across North America who are following every move from Canada and the United States. The coastal plain and the straightaways give sprint outfits a chance to seize control, while wind direction and crosswinds could shuffle the order in the blink of an eye.
The land itself both lends itself to collective effort and offers opportunities for decisive escapes. Six fourth-category climbs dot the stage, offering periodic keels for breakaway companions or late-race accelerations. Each climb brings a moment of decision, potentially shaping the tempo toward a climber-light finale where a small group might contest the last meters or a ramped sprint could crown a rider from the main field as the stage winner.
Every scenario remains in play as the Tour’s French leg begins after three days in Denmark and a first rest and transfer into French territory. The route favors resilience, positioning, and precise timing, all essential traits for teams aiming to protect a coveted general classification but also eager to seize stage glory in a high-stakes, fast-moving sprint environment.
Stage 4: Dunkirk – Calais
Length: 171.5 kilometers
Departure time: 13:30 (11:30 GMT)
Expected arrival time: 17.24 (15.24 GMT)
Mountain
Cassel Cote (4th): 1.7 km at 4.2%, at 148.2 km
Remilly-Wirquin altitude (4th): 1.2km at 6.9%, at 99.7km
Cote de Nielles-lès-Bléquin (4th): 1.2 km, 7.7%, 74.3 km
Harlettes Cote (4th): 6.8% to 1.1 km at 68.8 km
Cota du Ventus (4th): 1.2 km, 4.8%, 47.9%
Cota du Cap Blanc-Nez (4th): 910 m at 7.5% at 10.8 km.