Riding through the Vlaamse Ardennen now, more up and down but still agricultural. Shaken awake by the Bosberg cobbled descent (raced in the other direction as part of the Omloop het Nieuwsblaad each February). Dropped into Ronse for breakfast and coffee in the Grote Markt by the obelisk.

Alas, immediately followed by a 100-metre part-cobbled climb out again. Through Kluisbos forest - the highest point on this route (142 m) - before dropping to flatland and return to that headwind., through Kortrijk and another detour from the Fietsroute to reach Roeselare for a visit to Koers, the Museum van de Wielersport.