After a fast opening phase, a six-rider group formed the day's breakaway, but their collaboration ended after only fifty kilometres. A strong crosswind created echelons and as a result, the peloton split into two groups. Robert Gesink, Steven Kruijswijk and Rohan Dennis were in the front on behalf of Team Jumbo-Visma and soon caught the leaders.

The first group gained a one-minute advantage over the second, but the groups merged at fifty kilometres from the finish. Subsequently, six riders tried to escape, but a peloton sprint proved inevitable. In the final metres Michael Matthews sprinted to victory. Sam Oomen, Tom Dumoulin and Steven Kruijswijk crossed the line in the same time as the winner.

"It was a very tough day," sports director Merijn Zeeman said. "In the middle of the stage, there was a long stretch with side winds. Fortunately, we were well prepared and Steven, Robert and Rohan were in the front group. It was a perfect situation and it was all hands on deck for the classification riders who weren't with us."

"Rohan and Robert did a good job of fending off Sam and Steven in the last kilometres. It was a tricky final and we came through it very well. All in all, it was a good and encouraging start to this tour," Zeeman concluded.