Viacheslav Kuznetsov: Third in Gent Wevelgem – “I am so happy – it feels like a dream that I was in the top three”
![]() |
News: Podium for Kuznetsov in Wevelgem
TEAM PRESS RELEASE
With a big turn of speed in the closing meters of Sunday’s 243 km Gent-Wevelgem, Team KATUSHA’s Viacheslav Kuznetsov began his sprint against some of the biggest names in cycling. The Russian cyclist managed to hold on for a fine third place on the day, marking a first World Tour podium for the 26-year old.
Photo: © Tim De Waele
Viacheslav Kuznetsov “A month ago I was having some health problems and I never expected that at this race I could be top three. For me it was a big surprise that I had such good legs today. This was maybe the best day in my life”.
“I am so happy – it feels like a dream that I was in the top three. At 50 meters to the finish line I was in the front and I thought maybe I could win, but Sagan was too fast, but I did my best today. When I started my sprint, I felt I could not wait any more. I could not stay on the wheel against those guys. It was better for me to jump and have some speed and surprise of my own”.
“It was about 180 meters to go and I knew I could sprint that distance. Peter Sagan was just stronger”.
Taking his second career win in Gent-Wevelgem and first victory wearing the World Champion rainbow jersey was Peter Sagan of Tinkoff. He was followed by Sep Vanmarcke of Team LottoNL-Jumbo and Kuznetsov, all on the same time of 5:55.16.
Kuznetsov’s unexpected journey to the finish line began 50 km from the finish, before the last two climbs of the Baneberg and the cobbled Kemmelberg. Vanmarcke, Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) and Sagan accelerated over the climb to eventually join Kuznetsov in the front. The quartet worked hard to stay away in the last 30 km and managed to establish an advantage that hovered around the 38-second mark despite desperate chasing from behind. In the chase group trying to disrupt the effort and not contributing were Kuznetsov teammates Jacopo Guarnieri and Michael Mørkøv. Guarnieri ended up in 8th place and Mørkøv was tenth at 12-seconds.
“Tactically, I have to thank our sports director Torsten Schmidt. He told me on the radio to attack in this section, exactly in this place. It was a small road and we both knew the peloton would be going slow here. I believed him, but I was surprised to find myself in the front alone and building a gap – 20-seconds, then 30-seconds….no one followed me. I made the gap go to 1:10”.
“After the Kemmelberg I rode easy and when the others came to me I was ready to go with them. In the last 10 km I was ready to help them and we worked together and waited for the sprint. I knew the others did not know who I was, they did not know me at all, so they had no expectations that I could be first in the sprint, especially after using energy in my long solo attack. But, I did what I could and the result is a big surprise, – continued Kuznetsov.
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 10m TT
- TT Result: Gillingham & Dist Whs Hardriders
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 25m TT
- Startlist: Azets Spring Classic
- SUNDAY: CiCLE Classic (Women/Junior Men)
- The Pedal Club: March Report
- Sportive raising money for charity: Dartmoor Classic
- TT Result: Maidenhead & District CC 15m TT
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA Time Trial
- TT Result: Cardiff Ajax CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Yorkshire Cycling Federation 10m TT
- TT Result: Pendle Forest CC Hilly TT
- TT Result: Plomesgate CC 10m TT
- Crit Results: Exeter University Early Season Crits
- Crit Result: March Hare Classic
- Crit Result: Haus RT Darley Moor #3
- Crit Result: No Nonsense Circuit Races 1
- Crit Result: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- RR Result: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: LUCC Spring Crit Series 2
- Crit Result: Spokes RT Season Starter 2
- TT Result: Banbury Star CC Hardriders TT
- TT Result: Tavistock Whs Sporting TT
- TT Result: Maldon & District CC Hilly TT
- HC Result: Darlington CC Hill Climb
- TT Result: Barrow Central Wheelers 20.2m TT
- TT Result: GTR – Return To Life Two Up TT
- Crit Result: Brownlee Centre (Leeds)
- RR Result: The Peaks Two Day (Day 2)
- RR Result: The Peaks Two Day (Day 1)
- Classic News: 63rd Wally Gimber trophy
- Product News: Time Trial Tyre
- Crit Result: Westpoint Youth Stage Race
- Video Interviews 2023: Ollie Peckover
- British Road Championships at Redcar/Saltburn
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 21m TT
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: Full Gas Spring Rumble Series #2
- TT Result: City RC Hull 2-Up TTT
Other News on VeloUK
- Startlist: Azets Spring Classic
- SUNDAY: CiCLE Classic (Women/Junior Men)
- The Pedal Club: March Report
- Sportive raising money for charity: Dartmoor Classic
- Classic News: 63rd Wally Gimber trophy
- Product News: Time Trial Tyre
- British Road Championships at Redcar/Saltburn
- STARTLIST: Junior Men/Women’s CiCLE Classic
- Entry List: The Peaks 2 Day (18/19 March)
- News: Conti’s Strongest GP 5000 Tyre
- Startlist: Harold H Nelson Memorial Day of Racing
- Team News: Halesowen A & CC Academy 2023
- News: Saint Piran Women to go UCI
- NEWS: 2023/24 Cyclocross National Trophy/Champs
- Startlists: Proper North Road Race Series (Capenwray)
- 61st Eddie Soens – Rider List
- World Masters Track Championships 2023
- News: Contiki support women’s cycling initiative
- EVENTS: Portsmouth’s Mountbatten Centre
- News: Ribble Launch Collective to Ride As One
- Startlist: 39th Jock Wadley Memorial RR
- News: 3 weeks to Women’s & Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
- News: New Moda Bikes for Cycling Sheffield
- News: The Pedal Club Lunch (February)
- News: Alice Towers Debuts for Canyon/SRAM
- Startlist: VC St Raphael Classic TT
- News: Trinity Announces 2023 Team
- News: Cycling Brands LTD to Launch Crowdfunding Campaign
- Q&A with young organiser James Hawkins
- Q&A: Erin Murphy (Alba Dev Road Team)
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds