Several crashes marred the race. Jans Koerts broke his arm and was taken to hospital. Defending champion Peter Van Petegem attacked on Tenbosse, but to no effect. Johan Museeuw tried to go clear on the Muur van Geraardsbergen, but was caught by a large group before the top. After the Bosberg, 11 km from the finish, Andrei Tchmil attacked on a flat stretch and powered on to Meerbeke. Tchmil never had more than 20 seconds over a large chasing group, but won by four seconds over Dario Pieri, who broke clear from the group, and Romāns Vainšteins. At 37, Tchmil became the oldest winner ever of the Tour of Flanders.