The relaxed mood of the riders, a few minutes before the start, is deceptive. [01] The French teams, at the forefront at the beginning of the race, set a fast pace; Arrieta and Finot open a substantial gap, with more than a 4’ lead in the first climb up the Mur de Huy. [02] In the second climb, Bettini accelerates to catch the leaders [03] while at the back of the pack certain riders are forced to stop.

[04] The escapers having been caught, Freire takes command, [05] followed by Moos, but the front men see their hopes vanquished, caught 12 km from the finish. In the final climb up the Mur de Huy, instead of the expected Italians, it is the Spanish contingency that takes control of the race. Astarloa and Sanchez are the first to attack, but Valverde is the strongest. [06] The Caisse d’Epargne leader clinches the win ahead of Sanchez and Kroon, both powerless.