Eric Vanderaerden, a promising young Belgian, suffered a broken wheel at a critical point in the race, but managed to return to the back of the peloton by the foot of the
Koppenberg, 70 km from the finish. On the slippery cobbles of the infamous climb, Vanderaerden is one of the only riders to stay on his bike as the peloton shattered. Slaloming around others who had to shoulder their bikes up the hill, he was back in fifteenth place at the top, before setting out in an improbable pursuit of the leaders. 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. As the weather further deteriorated, Vanderaerden broke clear from his worn-out companions on the Muur. The Belgian, considered a sprinter, rounded off a 20 km solo to claim his first
major classics victory. Teammate Phil Anderson attacked Kuiper with 4 km to go, taking second place, before Kuiper. At 23, Vanderaerden became the youngest
Post-World War II winner of the Tour of Flanders. ==Weather conditions==