The 5.8-km circuit in the southern part of the Dutch capital consisted of Europaplein, Wielingenstraat, Diepenbrockstraat, Stadionweg, Apollolaan and Olympiaplein, with the finish in front of the RAI exhibition buildings. Ballerini won after an impressive breakaway. Last year's winner Nijdam finished second. Rominger lacked experience in riding behind a pace-making motorcycle. The field of 22 also included ex-winners Johan Museeuw and Olaf Ludwig.
22 Riders were invited in this very spectacular race at constant speeds between 50 and 60 km per hour and sharp turns. A unique race for the European pro's!
Very big names like Museeuw, Rominger, Ballerini, Vandenbroucke, Ludwig, Tchmil, Zabel and others were competing.
Those who think this was an ordinary criterium were mistaken. Behind the derny, every rider had moments where he blew himself up. You could see it on their faces!
The winner Ballerini was impressive. After 50 km, former Worldchampion Danny Nelissen attacked. After a regrouping of the troops Ballerini began to ride at incredible speeds of 70 and more. A group of about 7 riders formed behind him, with Museeuw and Vandenbroucke trying to react. The only result was that Ballerini took more minutes!! His teammates, made the error to race after a two weeks holliday! They were blown out of the competition completely. Everyone viewing the performance of Ballerini thought at times he would let behind his derny!! The last 20 km or so he rode completely relaxed and lost a great of time, but he didn't care. The others were struggling just to finish.
After the 1.2 race of the GP de Wallonne, this was a second win in a row and a performance that was breath taking.
Only first 10 ( UCI points and mainly to avoid embarassement) 1. F Ballerini 128 km in 2.32.23 (remember turns included!) 2. J Nijdam 1.19 3. A. Tchmil 1.33 4. B Holm 1.37 5. D Cornelisse 2.07 6. D. Nelissen 2.25 7. P. Pieters 3.22 8. F Vandenbroucke 4.27 9. E Zabel 4.37 10. A. Van der Poel 4.52 17. Rominger (first time ever, he said, behind derny) finished some decades later.