Welcome everyone to Belgium for the pinnacle of the Ardennes week. We have 249.5 km of tough racing to enjoy as the top Puncheurs look to add this historic race to their Palmares.
The eyes of the Cycling World are on 1 man today and he tops the list of Media favourites. De Bie has won the Amstel Gold Race and Fleche Wallone and is looking to complete a rare triple here. Life won't be easy for him though as there are a number of very strong riders who will be aiming for a Victory here today.
And they're off! They will have the rain to contend with here as well. Despite the bad weather though, the spectators are out in force.
Plenty of riders trying their luck here early on. Their sponsors will want the TV time and many young riders will be looking to make a name for themselves.
We're 20km into this one and we have an 8 man group with a 2'26 gap to the Peloton. In here we have: Shalunov, Mamykin Rajovic Geniets Mager Quintana Matte Figueiredo
200km to go and the breakaway saw their lead cap at 4'12 but the Peloton have decided they would like to keep them in check today.
50km further down the road and the riders seem content with all that's going on right now. 150km now to go and the Peloton is 2'54 behind the breakaway. The leaders comfortably sitting in behind those doing the work on the front.
The Peloton slowed their chase of the breakaway, not wanting to make the catch too early as to encourage mid-stage attacks. They're only 30 seconds closer to now be 2'23 behind with 100km to go.
58km now remaining. The lead of the breakaway has dropped to 1'28. Shalunov and Rajovic have already been swept up by the Peloton that has Polnicky on the charge.
Polanc has taken up duties at the front of the Peloton and he is flying. 42km to go and the breakaway is only 52 seconds ahead now. The damage at the front has led to the Peloton being reduced to 50 riders for the time being.
It's mostly domestiques that have been dropped here such as Sepulveda who suffered from a puncture earlier. However, Waeytens has found himself caught out here. His co-leader, Preiidler, is in the group behind as well so this isn't looking good for MOL.
27km to go and the 39 man Peloton is only 30 seconds behind the breakaway. And we have some action!! Lutsenko is the first of the favourites to test the legs out here.
This acceleration has meant the breakaway is caught with 24km remaining. The attack from Lutsenko dragged the others with him but he does have Villella here for support.
19km to go and this time it's Sagan who goes on the attack! De Bie is in close pursuit.
14km remaining and De Bie gives it another shot. Lutsenko has just attacked from the small Peloton behind as well. Will one of these attacks stick?
De Bie, Sagan and Lutsenko join forces with 9km to go.
20 seconds behind them it's Farfetch, Huski, Evonik and Xero working for their respective leaders as they are the only teams with domestiques in this 18 man group.
6km to go and the leading trio didn't co-operate as none of them wanted to drag one of their competitors to a win. As a result the group behind makes the catch as we hit another uphill section.
We reach the 5km to go banner and De Bie and Lutsenko have gone on the attack again! Will the favourites group react to this one as well??
The other favourites will have Benoot to thank as he pushes himself to the limit to make the catch with 1.7km to go!! We are in for an uphill sprint here!
Under the 1km kite and it's Formolo who is leading this group. He has Koretzky in his wheel and the other favourites just behind them.
300m to go and it could be any of these front riders!! This is how it looks:
Mohoric
Koretzky
Formolo
Vakoc
Trakhov
Lopez
Yates
Pons
Lutsenko
100m left in L-B-L and Vakoc is looking very strong!! He has Lopez close behind him too!
AND PETR VAKOC WINS LIEGE - BASTOGNE - LIEGE!!
Miguel Angel Lopez has to settle for 2nd, although his manager will be happy to see him on the Podium.
Simon Yates completes the podium just ahead of Clement Koretzky and Dmitry Trakhov.
Mohoric takes 6th ahead of Formolo and Kelderman. Buchmann and Lutsenko round out the Top 10.
Pons with a very strong ride for 11th while Houle just pips pre-race favourite Sagan for 12th.
It's then Bettoil 14th, Areruya 15th and Gerts 16th.
Unfortunately it wasn't to be for Sean De Bie who tried his best to light up the race and win this on his own but he has to settle for a rather disappointing 17th. It's still been a great week for the Belgian who can be proud of his efforts.
He ended up sacrificing himself for no real result, as Gerts only managed 16th, but Benoot will most definitely have a bit owed to him for his efforts chasing the attacks of De Bie and Lutsenko.
And our Winner. He deserves his time in front of the cameras as he has shown incredible strength in the finale with his 2nd in Fleche Wallone but this is the pinnacle for Petr Vakoc who will very much be enjoying that Podium step. I would expect these celebrations to go on for a while.
LIEGE - BASTOGNE - LIEGE 
