Defending champion Johan Museeuw had fallen behind early in the race because of a massive crash on Oude Kwaremont, forcing his GB-MG Maglificio team to chase for 30 minutes before returning to the front. On the Berendries climb, 35 km from the finish, a group of five was formed with Museeuw, Franco Ballerini, Andrei Tchmil, Gianni Bugno and Johan Capiot. Capiot was distanced on the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the four others headed to the finish. Museeuw, considered the fastest sprinter, reacted too late when Bugno initiated his sprint from afar and failed to get past the Italian. At the finish line, the difference between Bugno and Museeuw was 7 mm, the smallest winning margin in the history of the Tour of Flanders.