With good weather and flat roads the riders could enjoy a slow day in the peloton to recover towards the coming days, if possible. As traditional, an easy start led to a chaotic finale. It was not a technical finale in any way, but the speeds were quite high in the final kilometers with no team managing to pick up the head of the peloton.
The final kilometer almost saw several crashes from Bert van Lerberghe, Cees Bol and Fernando Gaviria between the riders involved in the moves. Quick-Step managed to deliver Cavendish in prime position, however today he didn't have the advantage as
Caleb Ewan went over him, and Arnaud Démare just barely managed to overtake the Australian to the line - in what was a photofinish, only confirmed minutes after the stage.
Démare, Ewan and Cavendish, the three main sprinters with the main leadouts completed the podium as the GC riders arrived safely in the peloton.