It was an unfortunate performance by LAMPRE-MERIDA in E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke, the first World Tour appointment in the charming Belgian landscape.

The 17 walls, 4 of which on cobblestones, were spread throughout the 215km course with start and finished in Harelbeke, made this verdict: Thomas won the race ahead of Stybar and Trentin.

In addition to Pozzato (he did not start because of a viral illness), LAMPRE-MERIDA lost Luka Pibernik and Niccolo Bonifazio, who got involved in a big crash after 35km. Pibernik quit the race, but he did not suffer serious physical consequences, while LAMPRE-MERIDA's doctor Guardascione decided that Bonifazio should undergo x-rays on his right hand, arm and shoulder that fortunately did not detect fractures, but strong contusions, especially at the elbow.

With three key riders out of the race, LAMPRE-MERIDA did not succeed in reversing the negative trend, but Mori could complete the race in the second group, taking the 38th place at 3'21".

The blue-fuchsia-green colors were in the main group for most of the race thanks to the good form of Cimolai and Oliveira, but they were dropped when the pace got faster in the approach to the Paterberg and the Oude Kwaremont.