“Painful, but there is no other option”

During further investigations, scar tissue was discovered on his heart, Sep Vanmarcke said in an Instagram post. “If I continue to race, scar tissue could develop and lead to heart failure in the future. It is a painful decision to end my cycling career so abruptly, but there is no other option.

Vanmarcke has won nine professional races, including the Omloop (2012), the GP Impanis-Van Petegem (2013) and the Bretagne Classic (2019). He won his last victory last year in the United States with the Maryland Cycling Classic.

He was in his element, especially on the cobbles. He twice finished third in the Tour of Flanders (2014 and 2016) and second in Paris-Roubaix (2013). This season he finished third in Ghent-Wevelgem. He has also done the Tour de France five times.

“At the age of six, cycling entered my life,” says Vanmarcke. “I ended up living this dream for fourteen years, with ups and downs. I wasn’t the super talent, but with dedication and hard work, I was able to compete with the best and in the biggest competitions.

For two and a half years, Vanmarcke has been under contract with Israel-Premier Tech. Lotto-Dstny was interested in signing him after 2023. “I would have liked to race at the top level for a few more years,” it seems. “It’s a shame to have 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 will now take the time to be with my family and reflect on what I want to do in the future.