As a storm caused further havoc, the lead group became 6 riders, with Sean Kelly, Greg LeMond, Adrie van der Poel and Phil Anderson. Vanderaerden and Hennie Kuiper led the chase and finally rejoined the lead by the Eikenberg. Kuiper attacked on the Berendries, 28 km from the finish. Vanderaerden and his teammate Phil Anderson combined and bridged the gap with Kuiper at the base of the Muur van Geraardsbergen.