A group of 11, containing all favourites, was at the foot of the Muur van Geraardsbergen, when defending champion and race favourite Johan Museeuw had a lingering rear wheel and was distanced on the climb. Michele Bartoli attacked on the steep upper slopes of the Muur and pushed on over the Bosberg towards the finish. The stylish Italian won with a minute lead over the chase group where team mate Fabio Baldato won the sprint ahead of a returning Museeuw.