Despite the strong sea breeze and the attempts of the riders of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux, the Elfstedenronde (1.1) ended in a bunch sprint. The early breakaway was caught during the first of six local laps around Bruges, after which all members of the selection under the direction of Aike Visbeek and Frederik Veuchelen accelerated one by one. A breakaway of Taco van der Hoorn, with two other riders, animated the final before the approach of the sprint. Fabio Jakobsen sprinted to the victory after a final attempt of Sven Erik Bystrøm at the end of the last cobble section.