Despite lining up at the Sunday's Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne as one of the pre-race favourites, Nacer Bouhanni missed out on another opportunity to claim his first victory of the 2015 season. The 18th place taken in the cobbled event can be regarded a success, though, considering how close the 24-year old Frenchman was to suffering an extremely dangerous high-speed crash in the final sprint.

"On a day like today you have to pay attention all day long. It's very special, very nervous. It wasn't bad for my first participation. The final sprint is a bad conclusion. I didn't get the chance to defend my chances," he said, according to Cyclingnews.

Even though the Cofidis train was present at the front inside the final kilometers, lack of experience once again took its toll, as Bouhanni was left too far from the finish line forced to face a strong headwind. Such conditions made for a hectic finale, as fast finishers were hiding themselves behind their team-mates until the very last moment before making their move. The 24-year old Frenchman touched a wheel of Tom Van Asbroek while trying to launch his sprint and only a miracle saved him from crashing on the barriers, which could prematurely and the season not only for him but few other riders.

"There was too much wind, headwind. I was in third position behind the Lotto-riders at 500 metres to go. That was too near to the front because there was a headwind. I preferred fifth or sixth place because there were still Kristoff and Cavendish and their teammates. When the Lotto riders were losing speed I was awaiting riders to move up on my right. I never found an opening on my right. When I want to start my sprint the rider from Lotto [Tom Van Asbroeck from LottoNL-Jumbo, BD] marked a move and I touched his rear wheel. I land on my guidon, touch the barriers and can't pedal for 50 metres. I don't know how I didn't crash. I touch the barriers, I can't pedal for four or five seconds," Bouhanni said.