Erwin Thijs was in the front for almost 200 km. After the
Koppenberg, 55 km from the finish, eight riders broke away. Five of them,
Johan Museeuw,
George Hincapie,
Peter Van Petegem,
Andrea Tafi and
Daniele Nardello, stayed ahead after Museeuw attacked on the
Muur van Geraardsbergen. Museeuw and Van Petegem tried to break clear, but they thwarted each other's attempts. When Andrea Tafi attacked, 4 km before the finish, the rest hesitated and the Italian pushed on until the finish. Museeuw beat Van Petegem in the sprint for second place.
Mario Cipollini won the sprint for ninth ahead of
Erik Zabel at 2' 27". French newspaper
L'Équipe called the race's finale "the most beautiful breakaway of the year". ==Climbs==