Sep Vanmarcke looks towards alternative calendar in seek of UCI points for Israel - Premier Tech

Although Israel - Premier Tech have not been actively public on their concerns of relegation to Pro Team level, they are starting to arise as Sep Vanmarcke announced a change in calendar in order to prioritize UCI points.

He was initially scheduled to ride the Tour de France, but with the team's difficult situation in which relegation risk is very real - and objectively likely - Vanmarcke has opted to change his calendar towards “where I can score points myself or help a teammate in the final." A logical decision, where Israel - Premier Tech seek to succeed as Lotto Soudal have lately with Arnaud De Lie. 

“You may find it a weird twist, but this is pretty okay. In one-day races, there can always be a fresh, fresh team. In stage races you have to do it with the same riders all the time. If one is much better, it is easier to score," he said in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad. "Then the gap with the many winners becomes even wider. It's good as it is, it also ensures that the smaller competitions get the attention and field of participants they deserve."

Vanmarcke was set to be one of the team's top scorers this year, but illnesses, injuries and a recent spell of Covid-19 have devastated the Belgian's season to the point where he only has 18 race days so far this season which include only three days of World Tour racing - with no results. Issues have been aplenty, however there's no other solution other than to hope the bad luck is behind and try to make the most out of the second half of the season.

“...It's really trying to collect points everywhere. That is why my program has been changed and the Tour has been canceled for more Belgian work, where I can score points myself or help a teammate in the final, such as preparing the sprint for Giacomo Nizzolo in the Heistse Pijl," he said. With that, he will likely be pointing towards the one-day races which should suit him well in the coming months before returning to World Tour racing.

"That work is more useful than riding the Tour, where there may be one stage that suits me," he concluded. Vanmarcke is still trying to recover form after getting Covid-19 just weeks ago, but he will be hoping to play a role at Saturday's Dwars door het Hageland.