From the beginning of the race a group of about 20 riders attacked, instigated by Claudio Bortolotto.

By the time the race reached the bottom of the Cipressa there were only Gomez, Bortolotto and Alain Bondue left in the breakaway with an advantage of seven minutes.

Gomez then attacked on the Cipressa gaining the summit a handful of seconds ahead of the other two, Bondue managed to bridge the gap while Bortolotto tired and was eventually caught by the group containing the race favourites Francesco Moser and Moreno Argentin.

On the technical descent of the Poggio, Bondue slipped, allowing Gomez to get a gap, this only proved decisive after Bondue slipped again.

As he rode down the Via Roma in San Remo he received muted applause from the Italian tifosi that had surely been waiting for an Italian winner.