The 1988 UCI Road World Championships took place in Ronse, Belgium. As this was an Olympic year all the Olympic cycling events served as World Championships, leaving just the Professional road race and the Women's Team Time Trial to be contested. The men's road race was decided in a sprint involving three riders, Maurizio Fondriest, Claude Criquielion and Steve Bauer. 200 meters from the uphill finish, Bauer began the sprint and Fondriest was unable to respond. However, Bauer realised his gear was too heavy, quickly sat down, and shifted down gear. As a result, his speed temporarily dropped, and Criquielion accelerated to the right of Bauer, close to the barriers.