Emerging Russian sprinter Denis Galimzyanov won the 91st Paris–Brussels semi classic.

Saxo Bank-SunGard's Lucas Sebastian Haedo was lead out perfectly by his team but the Katusha rider roared through to win the bunch sprint on the Avenue Houba De Strooper.

Yauheni Hutarovich of Belarus was second for Fdj with the Frenchman Anthony Ravard (Ag2r-La Mondiale) third.

An early six-man escape group opened up a lead of seven minutes on the peloton but Vacansoleil and Radioshack worked to limit the gap.

Yoann Offredo then went for a late solo attack but a bunch sprint was inevitable with the 24-year-old Russian proving the quickest.

"I have to thank my team-mates for the hard work and Mario Cipollini for the helpful sprint tips. At the finish I chose the wheel of Haedo at the right time and I went for it," he said.

Eurosport