Sep Vanmarcke retires with immediate effect

Israel-Premier Tech confirmed on Friday morning that Belgian veteran Sep Vanmarcke would retire from professional cycling with immediate effect, owing to problems with his heart.

The team said that an “abnormally high heart rate” was detected whilst the Vanmarcke was riding, and further tests have confirmed the presence of scar tissue on his heart.

In a lengthy statement released on Friday morning, the team detailed the results of a cardiac MRI carried out on the 34-year-old.

“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,” it concluded.

It is perhaps appropriate that the home favourite’s final race was the Belgian national championships, racing in the country that has held Vanmarcke close to their hearts ever since he first turned professional with Davitamon Lotton Jong Vlaanderen in 2008.

Speaking with sadness about the curtailment of his 14-year career, Vanmarcke reflected on his time in the saddle that has seen him finish on the podium at both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

“When I pinned a number for the first time back in 2003, I never dared to dream about having a professional career,” the Belgian said. “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.”

“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. 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.”

Perhaps the most endearing quality of Vanmarcke to the cycling public was his vulnerability, with the Belgian himself admitting that he was never one of the super talents. But through his hard work, dedication and love for the sport, the one-day specialist was able to achieve a number of notable victories, including the Bretagne Classic in 2019, Omloop het Nieuwsblad in 2012 (his first professional win) and his final success, the Maryland Cycling Classic in 2022.

Moving to the WorldTour in 2011 with Team Garmin-Cervélo, Vanmarcke was known not just for his victories, but the series of close calls that saw him competing with the greats such as Fabian Cancellara and Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies) in the Classics.

Riding for Blanco Pro Cycling Team at the 2013 Paris-Roubaix, Vanmarcke came to the velodrome as part of a two-man front group alongside the eventual three-time champion, Cancellara. Despite losing the sprint for the hallowed victory, Vanmarcke had put his name amongst the top contenders in the cobbled Classics for the next five to ten years to come.

Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images

Sep Vanmarcke will best be remembered for his gutsy performances on the cobbles

Every young Belgian cyclist dreams of being able to perform at their best on the cobbles of Belgium and northern France, which define the spring WorldTour campaign and produce some of the sport’s most celebrated champions. Vanmarcke may not have found his elusive Monument success, but he left an indelible mark on a generation dominated by the victories of Cancella and Tom Boonen.

Dogged by misfortune at the Tour of Flanders, in particular, throughout the 2010s, Vanmarcke was able to show his grit time and time again to battle through punctures, crashes and the rest to stand on the podium of Belgium’s biggest race on two occasions.

It is appropriate that on both times he narrowly came short of winning De Ronde, he was beaten by a great champion of the modern era, Fabian Cancellara in 2014 and Peter Sagan in 2016.

Reflecting on Vanmarcke’s time with Israel-Premier Tech over the last three years, general manager Kjell Carlström praised the Belgian.

“I want to thank Sep for everything he has done for the team. We are incredibly grateful for the passion and leadership skills he has demonstrated in his time with us, and it has been an absolute pleasure to have had Sep race in IPT colours.”