This edition was run under clear skies and good weather. Even past the feared
Muur van Geraardsbergen there were still a handful of riders in the front group: favorites
Tom Boonen (Quick Step-Innergetic) and
Peter Van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto),
Erik Zabel and
Andreas Klier (T-Mobile),
Roberto Petito (Fassa Bortolo), and
Alessandro Ballan (Lampre). Klier set the tempo to keep the group together for a final sprint, hoping for Zabel to win. Given Boonen's reputation as a
sprinter, he surprised his adversaries by launching a solo attack in the run-in to the finish to counter van Petegem's attack, after the
Bosberg climb. Despite being chased by the two T-Mobile riders, he managed to take a solo win to
Meerbeke. ==General standings==