Kittel, riding for Argos-Shimano, underlined his burgeoning reputation as a sprinter to hold off Nacer Bouuhanni once again, while Andrea Guardini grabbed third.
Jurgen Roelandts of Belgium remains the overall race leader, having finished safely in the bunch on the 173.7km route from Peruwelz to Ichtegem.
The four-stage event concludes on Sunday with a stage from Mons to Tournai.

