Girmay set the tone of the race by winning stage 1 and the first leader's jersey, then taking second on the road to Merlier across the flat days. The Durbuy climbs ended his GC bid, but he remained a factor in the sprints, taking fifth in Aarschot. A strong week of racing in his NSN colours.

• Stage 1: won the sprint and the first leader's jersey
• Stage 4: fifth in the Aarschot bunch sprint

A statement opening day for Girmay in his NSN colours. He read the slightly draggy finish perfectly, came off the wheels at the right moment and held off Merlier and Kanter to win the stage and pull on the first leader's jersey. The bonus seconds gave him a small but real overall cushion to defend.

• Won the bunch sprint and took the race lead via time bonuses

Girmay was sharp enough to make the front group of around 30 when the climbs split the race, then contested the sprint in Brussels. He came strongly in the final metres but couldn't get past Meeus or Fretin, settling for third on the same time.

• 60 kmMade the front selection on the climbs around Geraardsbergen
• 1 kmSurged late in the sprint but was edged for the win, taking third

Girmay was the beneficiary of a near-flawless team performance and finished the job himself. After NSN reeled in the break and held the chaotic, crash-strewn finale together, four of his teammates surged to the front inside the final kilometre and launched him with perfect timing. He came off the train at speed and had the legs to hold off defending champion Milan Fretin to the line — his second win of the season.

• 1 kmLaunched from the front of NSN's four-man leadout and held off Fretin to win