It was the fourth leg of the 1999 UCI Road World Cup, held between Paris–Roubaix and Amstel Gold Race.

Bartoli, seeking a third consecutive win and winner of La Flèche Wallonne earlier in the week, attacked on the lower slopes of the climb, before being joined by Vandenbroucke.

[3] After the Côte de La Redoute, with three climbs remaining, a lead group of 17 riders was formed with all key contenders, apart from a worn-out Jalabert.

Peter Farazijn did most of the work for his leader Vandenbroucke and countered attacks from Paolo Bettini and Davide Rebellin.

Michele Bartoli was distanced by Maarten den Bakker in the final kilometre and finished a disappointing fourth.