The present invention provides (i) processes for preparing a 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-2'-methyl-D-ribonolactone derivatives, (ii) conversion of intermediate lactones to nucleosides with potent anti-HCV activity, and their analogues, and (iii) methods to prepare the anti-HCV nucleosides containing the 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-2'-C-methyl-.beta.-D-ribofuranosyl nucleosides from a preformed, preferably naturally-occurring, nucleoside.