2023-07-07 14:23:15
Published on July 7, 2023 at 4:23 p.m. Aurélien Canot
Suffering from heart problems recently detected, Sep Vanmarcke is forced to retire at 34 years old. The Belgian rider, who today defends the colors of the Israel-Premier Tech team, had notably won the Circuit Het Nieuswblad and the Bretagne Classic during his career.
Absent from the Tour de France since his fifth participation, in 2018, Sep Vanmarcke was not one of the eight riders selected by the Israel-Premier Tech team, which he joined last year. Even if his sporting director had wanted it, the Belgian might not have lined up at the start of Bilbao on July 1. At the end of June, he had indeed undergone medical examinations, which had revealed that he suffered from heart problems, with, to go into detail, the presence of scar tissue on his heart likely to cause complications. A concern that therefore left Vanmarcke, with an abnormally high heart rate lately on his bike, no other choice than to immediately end his career, at 34 years old. The Kortrijk native has been officially retired since Thursday. He announced it on social networks, to his great regret. “If I continue, the tissue might grow and lead to heart failure. It is a terribly painful and brutal decision, I would have liked to race at the highest level for a few more years, but there is no other option”, explains the Belgian runner who had essentially made a name for himself at the occasion of the Flandrian classics. The former EF team rider, who also worked for the Garmin, Belkin, Lotto-Jumbo or Cannondale-Drapac teams, had won the Circuit Het Nieuwsblad in 2012 or the Bretagne Classic four years ago (2019).
Vanmarcke: “I didn’t dare dream of a professional career”
Third this year in Ghent-Wevelgem, his last big performance to date, Vanmarcke also has a podium in the Tour of Flanders (3rd in 2016) but also in Paris-Roubaix, since he finished 2nd behind Fabian Cancellara in 2013. First choice benefits that young retirees will now have plenty of time to think regarding. “I will now take time to be with my family, accept the situation and think regarding what I want to do in the future. My whole life has been dedicated to cycling. It will always be my passion”, admits nevertheless the Belgian, very proud of his career when he did not think he had the potential to shine. “When I stapled an issue for the first time in 2003, I dared not dream of a professional career (…) I lived a dream for 14 years, with its ups and downs. I was not a super talent but with perseverance and hard work I was able to compete for years with the best riders in the biggest races. Disappointed to have to hang up earlier than he had expected, Vanmarcke admits however that if he had not passed these exams, it might have been very serious for him. “It is very sad and painful to announce the end of my career in this way. At the same time, I am grateful that the problems with my heart are discovered in time. »
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