Agnieszka Skalniak delivered Canyon SRAM zondacrypto a narrow but prestigious victory at the inaugural women’s Maryland Cycling Classic, winning a four-rider sprint on the streets of Baltimore. The Polish rider launched first and just managed to hold off Alison Jackson of EF Education-Oatly in a photo finish. Emma Langley of Aegis took third, with Jackson’s teammate Clara Emond in fourth.
The 115.2km course was set across four laps of a 28.8km circuit, including cobbles, climbs and fast descents. Emma Langley was active from the start, attacking on the opening lap before being caught. Soon after, Emily Newsome tried her luck, only to be reeled back ahead of the first QOM where Henrietta Christie claimed maximum points.
Attacking moves continued on the second circuit, with Christie again going clear before being joined by Danique Hengeveld of Ceratizit. Their effort gained little time and Christie eventually sat up, though her persistence was rewarded with the overall mountains classification. Andrea Cyr won the intermediate sprint at the bell lap, but the decisive move came soon after.
Skalniak, Jackson, Langley and Marta Jaskulska formed the first breakaway, with Emond bridging across to make it five out front. Natalie Quinn briefly tried to join them but was caught between the leaders and peloton, leaving the quintet to battle for the win. Jaskulska was the first to crack on the final climb, leaving four riders. From there, EF tried to use their numbers, with Emond launching repeated attacks and Jackson following up with counters. Each time, Skalniak and Langley responded to keep the group together.
In the closing kilometres, Langley attempted one last attack, but Emond closed it down. That set up a tactical final kilometre, with Emond leading through the corners and Skalniak locked to her wheel. As the road straightened, Skalniak jumped first. Jackson came alongside in the last metres, but the Polish rider had just enough to edge the line.
Reactions
“I’m so happy to finally get this first win of the season,” Skalniak said afterwards. “There were ups and downs this year, but we rode so well as a team. I even had a flat tire earlier, and my teammates waited for me. In the final, EF were attacking me all the time, but I kept believing in the sprint. I’m really proud to take this victory.”
Jackson was disappointed to miss out: “It was a fair and square sprint. I was strong, but I had a lot to manage with the moves. We rode aggressively, but in the end, I just couldn’t come past in the sprint.”
Emond praised the team’s intent despite the result: “The main goal was to have numbers in the final, and we did that. We tried to attack until the end, but it didn’t come off. We can still be proud of how we raced.”
Langley, who initiated many of the early moves, was pleased to reach the podium: “I gave it everything out there. To be part of the final four and to fight for the win here in Baltimore is special.”
2025 Maryland Cycling Classic Women result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Snowy Mountain Photography
