Peter Van Petegem made the first significant move on Oude Kwaremont, but couldn't force a viable breakaway. On Taaienberg, 50 km from the finish, French star Laurent Jalabert broke away, followed by Dane Rolf Sørensen. Race favourite and world champion Johan Museeuw crashed at the foot of the Berendries climb and was unable to return to the front of the race. Meanwhile, Jalabert was left behind on the Berendries, as Van Petegem and Italians Ballerini and Casarotto joined Sørensen in the front. On the Muur van Geraardsbergen the four front riders were joined by seven others, including sprint specialist Frédéric Moncassin and Andrei Tchmil. In the last 10 km, Moncassin, Sørensen and Ballerini broke away and pushed on to the finish. Sørensen attacked under the one-kilometer banner and powered on to victory. Moncassin outsprinted Ballerini for second place.