After winning the Flèche Wallonne on the Wednesday, Alejandro Valverde knows that he will face strong opposition from Paolo Bettini, leader of the Quick Step - Innergetic team [01] and double winner of the event (2000 and 2002). The start launched in the streets of Liège attracts a public of connoisseurs and enthusiasts. [02] At km 33, Pierrick Fedrigo [03] and Serge Pauwels launch the first real break, immediately chased then caught by a group of 24 men.

The 26 riders [04] reach Bastogne with a 5'30'' lead on the main pack. [05] The real action of the race starts during the three climbs up Wanne, Stockeu and Haute-Levée. [06]

Wesemann takes off alone. [07] The CSC and Rabobank teams accelerate, and the escapee is caught in the Côte du Rosier. In the climb up the Côte de la Redoute, the local hero, Philippe Gilbert, attempts a breakaway on home ground but is caught by the pack before reaching the top. Joaquim Rodriguez gives it a go heading up the Côte de Sprimont; caught at the top of the climb, he remains in Michael Boogerd's wheel [08] as he sprints ahead. Christophe Moreau [09] and the French contingency are trapped further back.

In the climb up the Côte de St-Nicolas, Boogerd and Rodriguez still hang onto a slight advantage, leading by 18'', but the group of favourites closes in on them. The escapees are caught less than five kilometres from the finish. Twelve men struggle for victory: Rodriguez, Boogerd, Martin Perdiguero, Sinkewitz, Cunego, Basso, Di Luca, Kashechkin, Bettini, Horner, Schleck and Valverde, who has remained on the edge of the group for several kilometres. [10] In the final straight line to the finish Sinkewitz is the first to take off, but Valverde remains in his wheel before powering to victory. [11] After a frenzied sprint the first Spanish rider to win Liège-Bastogne-Liège triumphs ahead of Bettini and Cunego. They finally catch up with him on the podium… [12]