In the finish area after Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, FDJ manager Marc Madiot had black eyes. His team, set back by lots of punctures, didn't get a chance to defend its chances in a race won by Stannard (Team Sky) who beat three riders from Etixx-Quick Step.

"This is a great frustration," he said. "Alternately, Yoann Offredo, William Bonnet, Johan Le Bon, Mickael Delage and Arnaud Démare punctured. For Arnaud, it happened at the worst time, when the race was about to be decided on a long pave (2km) and just before the last climb, the Molenberg. Johan gave him his wheel but it was too late..."

Until this series of bad luck, FDJ had performed well in keeping its leader Arnaud Démare near the front of the peloton that was led by Sky's Bradleys Wiggins.

After his puncture, the Frech champion was able to regain his place in the 40-rider group but the damage was done. Boonen Terpstra and Vandenbergh (Etixx-Quick Step) had made a beautiful move but failed to get rid of Stannard while Vanmarcke (LottoNL-Jumbo), Van Avermaet (BMC) and Stybar (Etixx-Quick Step) had taken off in pursuit.

Nearly five minutes behind the winner, the bunch sprint was won by Rowe (Team Sky) ahead of Demare but his 10th place doesn't reflect his level.

Matthieu Landagnous got sick during the night and had to abandon.