Maryland Cycling Classic 2023

One-day racing returns to America with the second edition of the Maryland Cycling Classic

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Maryland Cycling Classic

Dates 3 Sept
Race Length 196 kms
Start Sparks
Finish Baltimore
Race Category Elite Men

Updated: September 1, 2023

Maryland Cycling Classic 2023 overview

The Maryland Cycling Classic supported by UnitedHealthcare is in its second edition this year after an exciting inaugural race in 2022. Falling just a week before the two big Canadian Classics, the GP Québec and GP Montreal, it provides those riders with ambitions in these races one last chance to hone their form. The one-day event forms part of the UCI’s ProSeries and, along with the Tour of Utah, is becoming the USA’s most premier bike race.

The race marked a return of 1.Pro road racing to the US after a short absence over the last few years. Races like the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic and San Francisco Grand Prix have held this ranking in the past, but both have since folded and fallen from the racing calendar. Several of America’s most successful riders won these one-day races, including George Hincapie and the former World Champion, Lance Armstrong.

The Maryland Cycling Classic, as well as attracting several big names from the WorldTour, is going to give many young American riders a chance to prove themselves on the world stage.

Maryland Cycling Classic 2023 key information

Date: September 3, 2023

Country: United States

Category: 1.Pro

Editions: 1 (as of 2022)

First winner: Sep Vanmarcke

Most recent winner: Sep Vanmarcke

Maryland Cycling Classic 2023 route

The route of the 2023 Maryland Cycling Classic starts in Sparks, outside of Baltimore, and heads north for a lap of the Prettyboy Reservoir, before turning back south for laps of a finishing circuit in Baltimore, the state capital of Maryland.

Maryland Cycling Classic 2023 map

Maryland Cycling Classic 2023 profile

Maryland Cycling Classic 2023 contenders

While the Maryland Cycling Classic is only a 1.Pro race with five WorldTour teams, it benefits from the popularity amongst the peloton of the Canadian one day World Tour races the next weekend. Thus, the startlist is small, but packs a punch.

The number one favourite for the race is Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost). Third last year, Powless has only built his one day credentials this season. Lidl-Trek brings a strong team as well and will lean on Mattias Skjelmose, Toms Skujinš and Giulio Ciccone. Tour de France stage winner Victor Lafay leads Cofidis, while Simon Yates will also lead a strong Jayco AlUla squad.

Israel-Premier Tech, while only a ProTeam, bring a very strong team with Giro d'Italia sensation Derek Gee and veteran Mike Woods leading a Canadian-heavy team. Local hopes will be on Baltimore-area native Scott McGill (Human Powered Health), while EF Education-EasyPost signee Darren Rafferty leads Hagens Berman Axeon. Other domestic riders who could breakthrough at the race are Tyler Stites (Project Echelon), Micheal Garrison and Artem Schmidt (Hagens Berman Axeon), and Robin Carpenter (L39ION of Los Angeles).

Lastly, while his Movistar team is not in attendance, Matteo Jorgenson is making his comeback at the race after pulling out of the Tour de France, riding for the US national selection.

Maryland Cycling Classic 2023 teams

Five WorldTour teams, five ProTeams and six Continental outfits will line up for this year's Maryland Classic.

WorldTour:

Astana-Qazaqstan
Cofidis
EF Education-EasyPost
Jayco AlUla
Lidl-Trek

Pro teams:

Israel-Premier Tech
Human Powered Health
Corratec-Selle Italia
Medellín-EPM
Novo Nordisk

Continental:

Hagens Berman Axeon
L39ion of Los Angeles
Project Echelon Racing
Toronto Hustle
Skyline
USA National Team

What happened in the Maryland Cycling Classic 2022?

Sep Vanmarcke won last year’s edition, sprinting against Nickolas Zukowsky and Neilson Powless. Vanmarcke won’t be on the start line this year but Powless will be back looking to make the move to the top of the podium. The race played out like a classic with aggressive racing causing splits and action early on. In the end, there were only five riders in contention on the final circuits.

Explore the tabs above to find out more about this race, including the start list, route, and results after the race.