(Left) Belgian cyclist Sep Vanmarcke receives a hug after winning the 2022 Maryland Cycling Classic. (Right) Vanmarcke raises his hand in victory after being the first competitor to ride across the finish line. Screenshots via video by GCN Racing.

In the first-ever Maryland Cycling Classic on Sunday, Belgian cyclist Sep Vanmarcke pulled ahead at the last minute to clinch the victory.

Vanmarcke, who rode for Team Israel-Premier Tech, had a final time of 4 hours, 34 minutes and 45 seconds.

Starting at Kelly Benefits in Sparks in Baltimore County, the race finished in Downtown Baltimore.

The inaugural Maryland Cycling Classic drew more than 50,000 spectators and cyclists from more than 20 countries. Already, the race is planned to return in 2023 and future years, the Baltimore Business Journal reported.

View our photo gallery of the race, and watch Vanmarcke (blue and white jersey) take the lead and win the race in this video from GCN Racing:

YouTube video

Marcus Dieterle is the managing editor of Baltimore Fishbowl, telling the stories of communities across the Baltimore region. Marcus helped lead the team to win a Best of Show award for Website of General...