[3] It was 175 kilometres long (10 laps) and was decided in a sprint of a group of 17 riders, which ended in a big confusion.

Dutchman Piet van den Brekel and Italian Luciano Ciancola crossed the finish line almost at the same time.

First, Van den Brekel received the flowers, but moments later the Italian was declared world champion.

André Noyelle thus came second and Luxembourger Roger Ludwig third[4] The professional road race was held on Sunday, August 24.

[5] In the same period, the 1952 UCI Track Cycling World Championships was organized in the Parc des Princes in Paris, France.