We
preview the 2025 Maryland Cycling Classic, which will take place on the
6th of September in Baltimore, Maryland. The hilly classic is the United States' top race of the year and will feature several World Tour teams, who are also preparing for the Canadian classics. The race is set to
start at 18:30CET and
finish at 22:20CET.
The race features a six-lap circuit around the city of Baltimore, one that is hilly and explosive. The race features only 170 kilometers in distance, and 2000 meters of climbing accumulate. The main ascent of the circuit is at the Greater Roland Park, but it's only 900 meters long at 5% which is not very difficult in the bigger picture.
Ultimately, the race could finish in a sprint, but the truth is there are several other rolling climbs throughout the circuit and overall it makes it a hilly race where there are lots of places where it's possible to attack.
EF Education-EasyPost come in as a 'home team' with Marijn van den Berg as favourites for the race whilst Lidl-Trek will have to go on the attack with the likes of American champion
Quinn Simmons and Mattias Skjelmose. Uno-X has a strong team including Tour de France stars Jonas Abrahamsen and Tobias Johannessen; whilst the likes of Michael Matthews and Pascal Ackermann lead other top teams that are focusing on a sprint finish. Team depth will matter a lot in such an explosive circuit, but it's not unthinkable to see a few teams united to bring things back towards a bunch sprint.
Profile: Baltimore - Baltimore
Baltimore - Baltimore, 170 kilometers
Predictions Maryland Cycling Classic 2025:
*** Quinn Simmons, Michael Matthews
**
Neilson Powless, Riley Sheehan, Marius Mayrhofer, Jonas Abrahamsen
* Alex Baudin, Mattias Skjelmose, Mauro Schmid, Pascal Ackermann, Mathias Kopecky, Anthony Turgis, Tobias Johannessen
Pick: Quinn Simmons
How: Solo victory.
Original: Rúben Silva
Quinn Simmons was the 'best domestique' at the Tour de France. Can he now take a big win for himself? @Imago