In the absence of Cancellara, Trek Factory Racing's squad was led by Stijn Devolder, the only former winner in the peloton, although he was not considered to have the best chances.

In addition, commentators named Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team), Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL–Jumbo), Lars Boom (Astana), Filippo Pozzato (Lampre–Merida), Jürgen Roelandts, Jens Debusschere (both Lotto–Soudal), and Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) among the high number of possible contenders.

When racing got under way, five riders broke free of the pack after 20 kilometres (12 miles): Jesse Sergent (Trek Factory Racing), Damien Gaudin (AG2R La Mondiale), Ralf Matzka (Bora–Argon 18), Matt Brammeier (MTN–Qhubeka), and Dylan Groenewegen (Team Roompot), while Clément Venturini (Cofidis) was briefly in the front group as well before dropping back.

Lars Bak (Lotto–Soudal) and Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli) were able to bridge the gap to the leaders, creating a group of seven at the front.

After 60 kilometres (37 miles) of racing, the leaders were about seven minutes clear of the peloton, but the gap started to come down once the riders reached the first climbs.

Just before the cobble section of the Haaghoek, a neutral car by supplier Shimano tried to overtake the leading group and hit Sergent, who fell and had to withdraw with a broken collarbone, which later required surgery.

On the second ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, Greipel again unsuccessfully attacked, before the main field reached the breakaway at the top of the climb.

At the front, Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) and Stijn Devolder (Trek Factory Racing) led the chase to bring back Greipel.

On the third and final lap of the course, Lutsenko attacked the 26-rider strong group again, joined by Van Avermaet and Nelson Oliveira (Lampre–Merida).

"[15] Geraint Thomas was disappointed with his performance, tweeting after the race that he "just lacked the legs of last weekend", referring to his E3 Harelbeke victory.

[17] The magazine Cycling Weekly commented on the race by criticising the route as "more attritional [...] than it is tactical", citing the lack of attacks and the teams' reluctance to send riders into break-aways.