German Steffen Wesemann won the monument classic ahead of Belgians Leif Hoste and Dave Bruylandts.

Bruylandts was the next to give it a go, taking Serguei Ivanov with him as Michael Boogerd leapt across to catch the tail end of the move.

The expected attacks by Van Petegem, Vandenbroucke, and Museeuw didn't materialize, leaving Wesemann and Bruylandts to spark the winning escape at the top of the Muur with Hoste in tow.

Hoste did close the gap when Bruylandts put in a last-kilometre attack, but it only served to set up the powerful Wesemann to take the sprint and claim his first ever World Cup victory.

On the day of this race, cycling legend and record holder for participations in the Tour of Flanders, Briek Schotte died at the age of 84.