Bob Jungels storms to victory in Liege-Bastogne-Liege

It was a hugely impressive ride from the Luxembourg national champion, who soloed away from the group of favourites with 20 kilometres to go.

Michael Woods of Team EF Education First-Drapac took second place after out-sprinting Frenchman Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale). The pair completed an unexpected podium, with none of the three being counted among the main favourites when the race left Liege this morning. The best-placed of those most fancied for the win was Julian Alaphilippe, who settled for fourth with his team mate taking the top step; another victory for the fabled Quick-Step 'Wolfpack'.

Despite being present and visible throughout the first part of the 254km race, the other favourites appeared to struggle in the finale, with both Vicenzo NIbali (Bahrain-Merida) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) losing contact with the head of the race in the closing 10 kilometres; Valverde eventually taking 13th and Nibali crossing in 31st place. Nibali's team mates Domenico Pozzovivo and Enrico Gasparotto rounded out the top six to save something for Bahrain.

Historically an attritional slow-burn, the 104th edition of cycling's oldest race didn't ignite until after the Côte de La Redoute, with a series of attacks coming in the run up to the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. Former winner of this event, Philippe Gilbert, was the first Quick-Step rider to attack on the climb itself, with Jungels going over the top as the other teams scrambled to reel in his team mate. Once he had a small gap, Jungels used his time-trialling prowess to great effect, forging on solo as discord in the pursuing pack led to an ineffective chase. As has happened so frequently so far in the classic campaign, we saw the race disappearing up the road ahead of a squabbling pack of riders.

Jelle Vanendert, who came third on Wednesday at La Fleche Wallonne, made a spirited attempt to bridge across to Jungels, but his efforts weren't quite enough. The Belgian Lotto Soudal rider was caught within the final kilometre and eventually ended with 11th place as the pursuing pack went by him.

Team UAE Emirates were extremely visible on the front of the peloton in the early part of the race, with their Scottish rider Rory Sutherland doing much of the work in service of team leader Dan Martin. Martin, who has had an unsuccessful season so far, suffered an extremely badly-timed puncture which effectively ended his hoped of contesting the finish. He rolled over the line in 18th, 2'41" behind Jungels.

Jerome Baugnies of Wanty - Groupe Gobert was the final member of the day's early break to be caught. The Belgian spent almost 200km in the break before being absorbed by the bunch. Baugnies had been part of a nine-man escape, that also included Loïc Vliegen (BMC), Anthony Perez (Cofidis), Mark Christian and Casper Pedersen (Aqua Blue Sport), Florian Vachon (Fortuneo-Samsic), Paul Ourselin (Direct Énergie), Mathias Van Gompel (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) and Antoine Warnier (WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic).

Liege-Bastogne-Liege marks the end of the classics season, with the focus now turning to the Grand Tours.