With the E3 BinckBank Classic, formerly E3 Harelbeke, is the ‘Holy Week’ started. By the nature of the course is the classic race is traditionally a dress rehearsal for the Tour of Flanders. There were 15 slopes of the Flemish Ardennes on the program, spread over 204 kilometers.
After 30 kilometers, there was a flight of eight. In addition were four Belgians: Jaime Castrillo (Movistar), Marc Hirschi (Sunweb), Thomas Sprengers (Sport Vlaanderen), Ludwig De Winter (Wanty), Mihkel Raim (Israel Cycling Academy), Stijn Steels (Roompot-Charles) and the team mates Aksel Nommela and Lionel Taminiaux (Wallonie-Bruxelles). They got a maximum lead of five minutes. At 85 kilometers came Sep Vanmarcke (EF Education First) fall. He was in the graskant and was transferred to the hospital. The unfortunate West-Flanders seems to come without fractions, but with a bruised knee and ribs.