Near Stavelot, the peloton were sent in the wrong direction, while the handful of men ahead were on the correct course.

As a result, their lead grew to about 15 minutes, which would have made it nearly impossible for anyone else to attain the overall victory, destroying the appeal of the race.

The jury decided that the leaders would have to halt until the peloton's lag was reduced to what it was before, but they initially refused.

Eventually, they had to be halted by the police, causing leader Bart Dockx to sit on the ground by way of protest.

In the final time trial, Bobby Julich climbed from 12th to 1st overall.