The race was won by Canadian rider Alison Jackson of EF Education–Tibco–SVB in a sprint finish, after the break stayed away from the chasing peloton behind.

[7][8] Starting from Denain, a 18 woman breakaway formed within the first 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) of the race, prior to live television coverage being available - which was subsequently criticised.

[11] On the Mons-en-Pévèle sector of pavé with 50 kilometres (31 mi) remaining, Lotte Kopecky of SD Worx attacked from the peloton, with key riders such as defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini of Trek–Segafredo, Pfeiffer Georgi of Team DSM and Elise Chabbey of Canyon–SRAM joining Kopecky to form a chase group of key contenders.

However, with around 40 kilometres (25 mi) remaining, Longo Borghini crashed on the Pont-Thibault à Ennevelin sector of pavé, taking out Kopecky and others in the chasing group.

[1] Lotte Kopecky of Trek–Segafredo took the leaders jersey of the UCI Women's World Tour, after winning the sprint of the chasing group.