Caoimhe O'Brien has taken her best result of the season - perhaps of her career - after making the long journey to the United States to ride the Maryland Classic.
Though the 23-year-old from Co Westmeath was not in the breakaway group that dominated the final of the UCI 1.1-ranked race, she proved one of the strongest in the chasing group behind.
O'Brien, who is riding this season for US Continental team Cynisca Cycling, has now come away from a very hard day out in Baltimore, after 115km of racing, with a fine result on her palmares.
She finish 9th after taking 3rd place in the sprint from the chasing group - behind the six breakaway riders - while her American team mate, Natalie Quinn, was up the road competing for the victory.
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The race was won by Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto), in a four-up sprint among the strongest of the breakaway riders. Canadian Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatly) was 2nd, with former US road race champion Emma Langley (Aegis Cycling Foundation) rounding out the podium.
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With four laps of a circuit to complete, including the modest climb of Greater Roland Park each lap, the breakaway went clear on the final lap. By the finish, four riders were left out front, with another two chasing.
The sprint for 7th place, from the remains of the bunch, numbering just 35 riders from a starting field of 75, unfolded some 2:24 after the leaders crossed the line.
And Agnieszka Skalniak-Sojka of @WMNcycling takes the win at the inaugural @MarylandClassic in a dramatic sprint to the line!@MDStadiumAuth #MCC25 #MDSportcorp #mdstadiumauthority pic.twitter.com/1C6knQtcDe
— Maryland Cycling Classic (@MarylandClassic) September 6, 2025
