Sep Vanmarcke retires from pro cycling with cardiac issues - "It is very sad and painful to announce the end of my career in this way"

Sep Vanmarcke was one of the most prominent and popular classics riders of the past decade, but he will now be ending his career with immediate effect as recent tests reveal scar tissue in his heart which could lead to further complications.

"Following an abnormally high heart rate detected while on the bike, Vanmarcke underwent testing including a cardiac MRI which confirmed the presence of scar tissue," the team has revealed in a press release this morning. The high risk of further cardiac complications posed by the scar tissue means that Vanmarcke will no longer be able to continue racing as a professional cyclist."

The sudden update comes as a shock. After undergoing exams recently the conclusion has been that the Belgian should not continue cycling at the highest level, in order to prevent possible complications such as what was the case with Sonny Colbrelli last year. Hence Vanmarcke hangs up the wheels today, after 16 years in the peloton.

“When I pinned a number for the first time back in 2003, I never dared to dream about having a professional career. I ended up living that dream for 14 years, with highs and lows. I wasn’t the super talent, but with dedication and hard work I was able to compete with the best riders in the biggest races for years," Vanmarcke said. "I got to know many people and cultures all over the world and have been to places I never heard of before.

“I would have liked to have raced at the highest level for a few more years and achieve more great performances together with IPT in the biggest races. It is very sad and painful to announce the end of my career in this way. At the same time, I am grateful that the problems with my heart were discovered in time. I’m going to take the time now to be with my family, to accept the situation and think about what I want to do in the future. My whole life has been all about cycling. Cycling will always be my passion.”

Vanmarcke became a professional rider in 2008 with the Davitamon Lotto Jong Vlaanderen team, and has over the years bounced back and forth between Pro Continental and World Tour level. Over the year's he's represented Garmin - Cérvelo (and later on rejoin the team which is now known as EF Education), Belkin (now known as Jumbo-Visma) and since 2021, Israel - Premier Tech where he has raced for the final time.

Vanmarcke was throughout many years one of the best classics riders in the peloton, however always with bad luck chasing him notoriously. Crashes and mechanicals often times came in the way of his results, however nonetheless he was still able to achieve success in the cobbles, rivaling the likes of Fabian Cancellara and Peter Sagan at his best.

He has won Omloop het Nieuwsblad in 2012 which ended up being the biggest win of his career. However he's had multiple podiums accumulated in races such as Paris-Roubaix, Tour des Flanders, Gent-Wevelgem, Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne and Dwars door Vlaanderen. He's also won the Bretagne Classic in 2019, and his most recent triumph was at the 2022 Maryland Cycling Classic. Vanmarcke rode his final cobbled classics campaign this spring, finishing on the podium of Gent-Wevelgem proving his current form, and his last race was at the Belgian national championships.