Greig Leach

Once the early break away had been caught, it was time for the serious contenders to try and establish an advantage. Normally, Stijn Vandenbergh (Etixx Quickstep) would be riding for his team sprinter, Mark Cavendish, but the Manx Missile had suffered mechanicals and crashes leaving him well of the pace. Instead the big Belgium was able to use his familiarity with the conditions to press his own case. After his move, Daniel Oss (BMC) and Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL Jumbo) put their heads down and went after the fleeing Vandenbergh.