British riders light up the Le Samyn semi classic in Belgium but the win goes to Alexey Tsatevich of Katusa
![]() |
Luke Rowe and Geraint Thomas both went in search of victory in the Le Samyn semi classic in Belgium but the victory went to Katusha’s Alexey Tsatevich. It was another win for the Katusha Team in Belgium with the victory by Alexey Tsatevich coming less than a week after Luca Paolini in ‘Omloop Het Nieuwsblad’.
Tsatevich was the fastest to the finish of “Le Samyn†after a late attack by both British Champion Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas failed to bring the much awaited British victory. For the young Russian rider, this was his first professional win.
The race was dominated by an early breakaway with Elias Van Breussegem (Doltcini-Flanders), Luke Rowe (above, Sky) and Thomas Sprengers (Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise) who were able to gain five minutes over the main group.
With 50 kilometers to go, Rowe decided to go solo and afterwards said on twitter “Good day out front in the break at Samyn today, always nice to get in a break. Lights went out with 20km to go”. His solo move was neutralized with 12 kilometres to go but no sooner had he been caught, his teammates went on the attack.
Geraint Thomas and Ian Stannard counter attacked and were followed by Gert Ian Lindeman (Vacansoleil-DCM) and Ignatas Konovalovas (MTN – Qhubeka). With a few kilometres to go, Thomas like Rowe before him, decided he could go faster on his own and went solo. He managed to stay clear until there was only a few kilometres left.
It was looking like a bunch kick but Tsatevich and a Europecar rider took a flyer when the peloton was already full gas. While the Europecar rider didn’t have the legs to hold the wheel of Tsatevich in the closing few hundred metres, the Russian carried on and while many riders tried to close the gap, the Katusha rider was too strong and held on to win with second place going to Kris Boeckmans (Vacansoleil-DCM), followed by Adrien Petit (Cofidis).
The British challenge in the sprint came from the Circuit Race Champion Scott Thwaites who was an excellent 7th for NetApp-Endura. “Today we were aiming to ride for the sprint for Roger Kluge and managed to get three riders into the finale” sai NetApp-Endura’s DS. “Unfortunately, Roger’s legs just gave out in the final kilometre but Scott Thwaites, whom we had set aside as the last man for Roger, reacted immediately and still had the power to sprint.”
“Scott really put in a great performance. Back in Argentina he got noticed with some good results, and today he has proven his strong form once again. This and the team’s overall performance give us reason to be optimistic,†Jens Heppner said after the race.
Video of the Finish
“I am really happy that I won today” said Tsatevich. “The team gave me a chance to try today, the whole race was done around me and I am thankful for that. I am happy, that I was able to realize the wish of the team to win today. I came to Belgium a little bit earlier than other members of Katusha, so I had some more days to train.”
“That was one of the key moments for today’s success. In the final part of the race, I said to the team that I am ok and can try, so, my teammates did all possible to help me and to provide an ideal position in the finish. I was waiting for the massive sprint, but a rider from Europcar attacked before it. I took his wheel and was able to save the energy. In the last meters I started my sprint to win. I am happy to get first Russian victory for Katusha this year. Now, my next race is Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderenâ€.
Result
1. TSATEVITCH Alexey Katusha
2. BOECKMANS Kris Vacansoleil – DCM
3. PETIT Adrien Cofidis
4. DEHAES Kenny Lotto Belisol Team
5. SBARAGLI Kristian Team MTN Qhubeka
6. BAZZANA Alessandro
7. Scott Thwaites, NetApp-Endura
36. Ian Stannard Sky Procycling
78. Â Geraint Thomas Sky Procycling
79. Jonny McEvoy Team NetApp – Endura
100. Erick Rowsell Team NetApp – Endura @ 3:11
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Result: King and Queen of the Bowl Crit Series #11
- Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League Rd 12
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Result: West Thames League Rnd 13
- Result: RCR Goodwood Series #8
- Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits
- Result: Thank Crit it’s Friday 4
- Result: Swindon Summer Race Series 3
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 14
- Result: National Circuit Series – Guildford
- TT Result: Westerley Cycling Club 25
- TT Result: Ross on Wye & Dist CC 25
- TT Result: Northampton & District CA 12.7m TT
- TT Result: Border City Whs CC 25
- TT Result: Ferryhill Whs 25
- RESULT: Salt Ayre Tuesday Series 13 (Lune RCC)
- Result: A Bridge Too Far Road Race
- Result: Lichfield No Frills #3
- Result: Chorley CC UCLAN Series Round 2
- Result: Seacroft Wheelers Summer Road Races
- Result: Junior Road Championships
- TT Result: Mid Devon Cycling Club 25
- TT Result: The Nifty Fifty
- TT Result: East Lancashire RC 10
- Result: King and Queen of the Bowl Crit Series 10
- TT Result: VC Norwich 10
- TT Result: Ross on Wye & Dist CC 10
- TT Result: City RC (Hull) 10
- TT Result: Dan Ward Memorial TT
- TT Result: Bristol South Cycling Club 50
- Result: Banbury Star Festival of Racing
- Result: Mid Shropshire Wheelers Severn Valley Youth Series
- Result: Fete du Velo (Redbourn)
- Result: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- HC Result: Winster Hill Climb
- Result: Mallory Park Youth Road Race League 4
- Result: RCR Goodwood Series #7
- Result: Schils Summer Circuit Races
- Result: Tameside Cycling Development League
- Result: West Thames League Circuit Race League 12
Other News on VeloUK
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Opening of Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway
- Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes
- This Weekend: Junior Road Championships
- Wednesday: Otley Cycle Races
- Mid Shropshire Wheelers celebrates 100 Years of Cycling
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold
- NEWS: MAJOR JUNIOR TEAMS TO MERGE FOR 2026
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- Report/Result: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 2
- Report: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 1
- STARTLIST: Owen Blower Memorial Road Races
- Events: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- News: May Pedal Club Lunch
- RIBBLE PARTNERS WITH THE BIKE FITTERS
- Monday: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- British Stars for Women’s Tour of Britain
- Women’s Tour of Britain Riders 2025
- BIKES: RIBBLE UNVEILS ULTRA-RACE
- Women’s Tour of Britain Routes
- STARTLISTS: 2025 Lincoln Grand Prix
- STARTLIST: The Witham Hall Grand Prix
- Startlist: Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix
- FEATURE: PEDAL CLUB LUNCH REPORT (APRIL)
- 2025 BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROUTES
- STARTLIST: Sloan Trophy (April 27)
- News: Teams Revealed for the Women’s Tour of Britain
- Startlist: CiCLE Classic International
- Sunday: CiCLE Classic UCI Road Race
- News: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage Hosts
- PERTH GRAND PRIX (SCOTLAND)
- April 19: PNE National B Road Race
- STARTLIST: East Cleveland Classic
- Startlists: Witham Hall Junior Two Day (Men & Women)
- Startlist: Totnes-Vire Two Day
- STARTLISTS: Cold Dark Capenwray Road Races
- News: CiCLE Classic – Volunteers Wanted