After the Côte de La Redoute, with three climbs remaining, a lead group of 17 riders was formed with all key contenders, apart from a worn-out Jalabert. Peter Farazijn did most of the work for his leader Vandenbroucke and countered attacks from Paolo Bettini and Davide Rebellin. On the Côte de Saint-Nicolas, from the finish, Michael Boogerd attacked early on the climb, but was countered by Vandenbroucke who broke clear and powered on solo to the finish in Ans.