Middelkerke -> Wevelgem
Team Picnic PostNL lined up for the newly named In Flanders Fields, tackling a demanding 241-kilometre route from Middelkerke to Wevelgem. Early in the race, an eight-rider breakaway formed, with Frits Biesterbos representing Team Picnic PostNL at the front. While echelons didn’t materialise in the famous Moeren-section, crosswinds soon after split the peloton before things came back together on the first climbs of the day. Over the first passage of the Kemmelberg, the gap to the break was reduced to under half a minute. On the second ascent, several pre-race favourites attacked and bridged across, forming a new nine-rider lead group with Biesterbos still present. With 45 kilometres remaining, the group held a narrow 31-second advantage over a reduced bunch.
The race exploded again on the final ascent of the Kemmelberg via the steep Ossuaire side, where Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert went clear. Biesterbos had to let go but continued to collaborate with the riders he had spent the day in the break with. Their effort lasted until 21 kilometres from the finish, when they were finally caught. Behind, John Degenkolb remained in the chasing bunch, around 40 seconds behind the leaders at 15 kilometres to go. Biesterbos’ day at the front came to an end shortly after due to a mechanical. The final attackers were only caught under the red kite, setting up a sprint finish in Wevelgem. Jasper Philipsen powered to the victory, while Degenkolb led Team Picnic PostNL across the line in 14th after a long and aggressive day of racing.