Arnaud Demare of FDJ has won the Kampioenschap Van Vlaanderen.
The 99th edition of this UCI 1.1 race in Koolskamp was over a 192km course of sixteen laps and had Andrei Greipel of Lotto in the breakaway along with Florian Senechal of Cofidis, Tom Van Asbroeck of Topsport, Jonas Ahlstrand of Giant Shimano, Oliver Le Gac of FDJ, Matti Breschel, Julien Fouchard of Cofidis, Fred Robert of Wanty Group, Sam Lennertz of Vastgodservice, Wouter Mol of Veranclassic and Nico Sijmens of Wanty Group.
A lead of 1.45 was down to 1.05 with fifty kilometres left, forcing Breschel and Le Gac on to the attack.
Julien Fouchard was dropped from the lead group as the two were caught by the rest of the front group and Greipel, Le Gac and Robert launched another raid but were quickly brought back into the line by this lead group who were fifty seconds ahead with fifteen kilometres left of racing.
Lotto started to lead the peloton closer to the escapers and just as they had the flam rouge in sight, they were caught and a sprint ensued which Arnaud Demare of FDJ won ahead of Luka Mezgec of Giant Shimano, Jonas Van Genechten, Michael Van Staeyen and Danny Van Poppel.