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: 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
- Result: Chorley CC UCLAN Series Round 1
- Opening of Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 13
- Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League 11
- Result: PNE Mountbatten Summer Series 6
- Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes
- RESULT: Otley Grand Prix 2025
- Result: Lotus Cars Cycle Race League 7
- TT Result: Darlington Cycling Club 25
- TT Result: Velo Club Cumbria 25
- TT Result: Hinckley Cycle Racing Club 2-up TTT 25
- Result: SACA Salt Ayre Tuesday Series #12
Other News on VeloUK
- 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
- Startlist: Danum Trophy 2025