UAE Team Emirates were setting a fierce pace on the front of the bunch though and as the break came almost into touching distance, Felix Grossschartner decided to attack the peloton rather than do his turn on the front, quickly bridging the gap to the leaders. After things regrouped again, Mauri Vansevenant became the next man to attack. joined by
Davide Formolo.
As Vansevenant and Formolo built up an advantage, a counter attacking trio of Bart Lemmen, Nicolas Prodhomme and Bob Jungels were leading the chase behind. At 10km to go though, the leading duo had nearly a minute lead back to the peloton.
Man in form Marc Hirschi attacked from the peloton with 7km to go, looking to chase down the 47 second deficit to Vansevenant and Formolo. Quickly onto the UAE Team Emirates man's back wheel, was race leader Van der Poel. With 4km to go, Vansevenant broke Formolo and sailed into the lead of the stage solo and into the overall race lead.