Other favourites included Lars Boom (Astana), Stijn Devolder, Gert Steegmans (both Trek Factory Racing) and former winners Matti Breschel (Tinkoff–Saxo) and Oscar Gatto (Androni Giocattoli), as well as a large number of other riders.

[4] The race included several of the climbs used in the Tour of Flanders, which took place the following week, such as the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg.

On the Taaienberg, with 56 kilometres (35 miles) remaining, Kwiatkowski, Edward Theuns (Topsport Vlaanderen–Baloise) and Dylan van Baarle (Cannondale–Garmin) attacked from the first chasing group.

They built a lead of 40 seconds thanks to Kwiatkowski's efforts on the Oude Kwaremont; Boom attempted to counter-attack, but he crashed into a field.

They both looked to the other to do the work to catch Wallays and ended up leading out Theuns to give Topsport Vlaanderen–Baloise the first two positions on the podium.