The stage was characterised by a very high average speed. A group of eleven riders escaped after a long run-up, but they never really got away. The Muur of Geraardsbergen caused an explosion in the race. It was every man for himself, but the consequence of this course was that mergers took place. Dumoulin came back and immediately hit the pedals. Only the two riders of Bahrain-Victorious proved to be stronger. In the general classification Dumoulin finished ninth and Mike Teunissen tenth.

Dumoulin was happy with his third place. “We had the stage under control. We kept it short so Mike and I could ride the final. We did that well as a team. Unfortunately we both lacked the power to put our mark on the stage. With a bit of luck we came together for the last climb and then I went full throttle. In the end, I could get the third place. A pleasant way to end this week.”

Sports director Arthur van Dongen was proud. “It was a tough day. Everyone felt their legs after seven days of racing. We planned to be in the main breakaway and Dylan and Olav put a lot of energy into that. In the end a strong breakaway of eleven riders got away on a tough part. Then we controlled the race. From then on there was a lot of racing on the local laps. We assumed it would merge at the front. Only Mohoric was too strong. Tom gave it his all on the last climb. We went for the highest possible in the stage; we have to be satisfied with third place.”