Vanmarcke "back on track" after Maryland Cycling Classic win

Sep Vanmarcke is a rider that has seen his career hampered by countless injuries and illnesses, and 2022 was no expection. However yesterday in the first edition of the Maryland Cycling Classic, the Belgian rider took his first win in over three years, which he sayd has gotten him back on track.

“I’m feeling relieved. It has been a long time since I won a race as I was sick and injured and this win puts me back on track," the Belgian said in a post-race interview. "It was hard to get back to a good level in the last few months and two weeks ago, I had bruised ribs so I had to take some time off and miss a few key races. I was really disappointed so this is a nice way to get back".

Vanmarcke was part of a strong Israel - Premier Tech lineup for the American race, and took full advantage of the situation.

“It was more difficult than we expected. The first 120 kilometers were super tough but because of the heat and the long day in the breakaway, the final was also really hard. We knew there were rolling hills but it was one after another all day and it was really demanding. Also, we got away with 25 riders after 10 kilometers and this made it a really hard race," he detailed. "EF sped it up after 60 or 70 kilometers and split it, so we were 12 in front. One by one, everyone was getting tired and I could feel it in the final. But I knew I had to be in everything as it would split again".

Vanmarcke was present in the winning move alongside teammate Jenthe Biermans. The World Tour teams were all present in the key move, and the veteran later managed to also join the winning move of four that went clear in the final kilometers of the race.

Despite the many attacks, a sprint could not be prevented into Baltimore, where Vanmarcke was the fastest out of the group, crossing the line first for the first time since the 2019 Bretagne Classic.

“I was hoping to win with the team today. We had the plan to go to the sprint today but Giacomo didn’t get in the breakaway so together, I think we played a good tactical game. I’m super proud to win here in America. It has been a while since we raced here so to be back winning here is super nice," he concluded.

He'll stay in North America for the coming weekend where the Canadian classics will be in the spotlight, and will later have a string of one-day races back in Belgium where he's expected to conclude his season.