DUNKIRK, France, May 10, 2009 (AFP) – Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa of Portugal, riding for Caisse d’Epargne, won the Four Days of Dunkirk following Sunday’s sixth and final stage.

Faria became the first Portuguese to win the event after Germany’s Andre Greipel of Columbia won a sprint finish following the 172.3 km ride in 3hr 47min 3sec to see off Belgian Jurgen Roelandts (SIL) and Frenchman Sebastien Chavanel (FDJ).

Frenchman David Lelay (AGR) placed second overall at 9sec adrift of Faria with another home rider, Cyril Lemoine of SKS, third at 18sec.

Having helped their man into the overall lead Saturday, Faria’s teammates again strove to push him all the way to final day glory from Lesquin to the finish at Dunkirk.

Da Costa, 22, has come through the ranks since first showing his potential as a youth racer and turned pro just two years ago with the modest Benfica team before switching to Caisse d’Epargne.

Stage
1. Andre Greipel (GER) THR 172.3 km in 03hr 47min 02sec.
2. Jurgen Roelandts (BEL/SIL) s.t.
3. Sebastien Chavanel (FRA/FDJ) s.t.
4. Alexandre Blain (FRA/COF) s.t.
5. Baden Cooke (AUS/VAC) s.t.
6. Kenny Van Hummel (NED/SKS) s.t.
7. Romain Feillu (FRA/AGR) s.t.
8. Klaas Lodewyck (BEL/TSV) s.t.
9. Loyd Mondory (FRA/ALM) s.t.
10. Anthony Ravard (FRA/AGR) s.t.

Overall
1. Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (POR) GCE 980.3 km in 23hr 36min 57sec
2. David Lelay (FRA/AGR) at 09sec.
3. Cyril Lemoine (FRA/SKS) 18.
4. Andre Greipel (GER/THR) 22.
5. Jurgen Roelandts (BEL/SIL) 24.
6. Pierrick Fedrigo (FRA/BBO) 30.
7. Luis Pasamontes Rodriguez (ESP/GCE) 34.
8. Stephane Auge (FRA/COF) 35.
9. Yukiya Arashiro (JPN/BBO) 38.
10. Mathieu Ladagnous (FRA/FDJ) 38.