We already know the profile. A fairly average length of 178.3km made up of repeat uphill cobblestone sections.
Those cobblestone specialists who are strong in the hills are the favourites but, based off the past, we can't ignore those who aren't as strong.
Fans have come out in their droves for this one as they line either side of the start line here today. Hopefully the riders can put on a good show!
Numerous riders, both in groups and individuals, are trying their luck early on. We'll get their names once we have a settled front group.
148km to go and we have ourselves a front group of 21 riders. Their gap back to the Peloton is 2'14. Some fairly strong riders, both over the cobblestones and in the hills, have made the cut.
COB
HIL
Domene
76
57
Konwa
72
70
Taillefour
76
55
Lindeman
75
63
Debusschere
70
65
Nommela
72
67
Perez
62
72
Sarreau
72
65
Rochas
60
74
Rodriguez
55
76
Menicucci
70
69
Mengoulas
68
68
Lauk
67
62
Louvel
69
69
Alaphilippe
65
73
Van Den Bossche
68
68
Campenaerts
62
69
Yzeiraj
65
66
Quicibal
63
68
Hermans
62
75
Thill
61
73
100km remaining as the riders are on somewhat of a circuit with 1 cobblestone hill and 1 shorter hill without cobblestones. The front group is down to 14 riders. 2'33 is their gap back to a somewhat reduced Peloton of 75.
90km and the gap to the front group of 13 is 2'01. Philips, Carlsberg and Trans have been doing the work at the front of the Peloton.
Shortly after, we have an attack of some secondary leaders from the Peloton. Bush kicks it off with Monk and Insausti joining him.
The breakaway has been reduced to 7 riders. Their lead is down to 1'28. The Peloton has only 28 riders with small groups trailing off the back.
32km remaining and the Peloton is reduced to 23. Only Nomella is ahead of the Peloton and, even then, he's only 18 seconds clear. Vanbilsen Stallaert, Okbamariam Blythe, Bush, Van Lerberghe, Noppe Trentin Daniel, Van Keirsbulck David, Marzuki, Schoonbroodt, Ghani Breen Bewley Gaday, Owen Benoot Declerq Kung Sarreau Alaphilippe
And with 24km to go it's time for the big boys to come out to play. Stallaert kicks off the attacks and has 6 riders in his wheel. Another 10 riders are just behind.
We were briefly back to a 17 man leading group but then Benoot goes on the attack with David. This is definitely a threatening duo given their combined strength in the hills.
20km to go as Trentin goes off in pursuit of these 2.
17.5km to go and it's Owen doing the chasing in the leaders group of 10.
15km to go. Benoot has a small gap to David. A group of 9 riders is just behind these 2. In here in this order are: Trentin, Van Keirsbulck, Stallaert, Gaday, Daniel, Breen, Bewley, Declerq and Vanbilsen.
Ignore the lapped riders here. Trentin and Vanbilsen are dropped by the other favourites.
Benoot has 10km to go and it's looking promising for the Belgian. The situation looks like this: Benoot
34" Gaday, David, Stallaert, Van Keirsbulck & Daniel
30 " Bewley, Breen, Declerq
33 " Trentin, Vanbilsen
Less than 4km remaining for Benoot. The chasing group of 5 isn't cooperating at all as they are 1'24 behind. Their fight looks like it'll be for 2nd.
3km now for the chasing group. David attacks this group as the others look to follow.
Benoot has 900m to go and still a minute to the next rider on the road.
David looks to be too strong for the others but Gaday is fighting while Stallaert is struggling on the uphill.
It's a truly fantastic win for Tiesj Benoot! He was too strong over the steeper sections and unmatched by his rivals.
Tom David is a clear 2nd but still a minute behind today's winner.
Joeri Stallaert conserves enough energy to take 3rd ahead of Lucas Manuel Gaday.
Van Keirsbulck is stronger than his team mate Daniel for 5th and 6th with Breen in 7th.
Declerq is 8th with Van Lerberghe 9th and Bewley rounding out the Top 10.
Of the other pre-race favourites, Trentin is only 15th with Vanbilsen 18th and Blythe 19th.
It's now time for Tiesj Benoot to celebrate! A great win for the Belgian and for Philips.
1 Jour de Dunkerque - Race Report 
