With the Tours of Qatar and Oman and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Arnaud Demare has already raced a lot in the early part of the season and so he decided to skip Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. As his replacement Marc Sarreau was ill and unable to take the start, FDJ new that it would be hard to get a result.

"The only option was in the hilly zone before the final circuit," manager Marc Madiot said. "Yoan Offredo crested the summit of Oude Kwaremont just behind Tom Boonen. He hit a hole, Yoann tried to avoid it but he punctured twice. Olivier Le Gac gave him his wheels but Yoann never got back to the first group."

In the end, that group was caught by the peloton that also included Sébastien Chavanel, Matthieu Ladagnou - who is feeling better after his recent illness - and Johan Le Bon who was best at the finish in 31st. Cavendish (Etixx-Quick Step) won the race by beating Kristoff (Katusha) and Viviani (Team Sky) in the sprint.