The 192 kilometer race was held on dusty, unpaved and stony roads and in scorching heat. After 45 kilometers Jules Vanhevel attacked and only Georges Ronsse joined him. The others hesitated and the two Belgians were able to gain a lead of several minutes. The Italian favorites Costante Girardengo and defending champion Alfredo Binda were great rivals and did not want to ride for each other; eventually they would both give up. Gaetano Belloni sacrificed himself, but he was set back by tire failure, just like several other participants.
Along the way, Vanhevel fell after colliding with an ox team and injured himself in the fall. He was able to return to Ronsse, but when he attacked on a slope 70 km from the end, Vanhevel had to pass and give up. Ronsse was able to win with a lead of almost 20 minutes over the Germans Nebe and Wolke, which is still the largest lead with which a world championship has been won.[2]
