Martin Rincon and Domingo Gonzalez, Mexico, Andrea Patuelli, Italy, and Arie Jan Brommer, Holland, went down in a high-speed crash on a descent. Rincon and Brommer had to abandon.
Miguel Arroyo defended his lead, not without some difficulties. He had to chase for 5 kms after a puncture, aided by team-mates Christophe Manin and Marco Verney, and another crash 1,750 metres from the finish, made him lose contact with the peloton momentarily.