[2][3] After winning E3 Harelbeke two days prior to Gent–Wevelgem, Greg Van Avermaet continued his run of good form with victory for the BMC Racing Team in a two-up sprint finish against his fellow Belgian Jens Keukeleire, riding for the Orica–Scott team.

The podium was completed by world champion Peter Sagan (Bora–Hansgrohe),[1] as the peloton caught the select group in the closing metres.

The race started in Deinze in East Flanders,[5] 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Ghent.

The route took the riders immediately into West Flanders, and after around 90 kilometres (56 mi) of flat roads, they came near the coast at Veurne.

After turning inland again, the race continued south towards the French border, and just after halfway, crossed onto French soil at the commune of Boeschepe, with the first of the race's ten climbs coming at the Mont des Cats.