Race analysis, favourites, and predictions for Maryland Cycling Classic, presented by UnitedHealthcare 2023

Last year, the Maryland Cycling Classic, presented by UnitedHealthcare, was held for the first time. The first edition of the race was originally scheduled for 2020, but its debut was postponed twice due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. So, in 2023, the race is celebrating its second edition with the intention of establishing itself as the most important race in the United States, as no WorldTour events are held in the U.S.A., and the Maryland race is the only one included in the ProSeries calendar.

Route

The route remains identical to that of the previous year, covering 200 km with an accumulated elevation gain of 2286 meters. Although the course is categorized as flat, the local circuit on the streets of Baltimore is quite twisty, and the disparity in level among the different teams might lead to a race scenario where a small group of the strongest cyclists compete for victory.

Favorites

Mattias Skjelmose (1000), Giulio Ciccone (1000), Matteo Jorgenson (600), Neilson Powless (600), Michael Woods (600), Axel Zingle (400), Victor Lafay (400), Derek Gee (200), Cristian Scaroni (200), and Simon Clarke (200) are some of the most important cyclists on the start list.

Photo: © Maryland Cycling Classic, presented by UnitedHealthcare / Darrel Parks