"He wanted me to win some races for him before he left the team" - Simmons dedicates USA National Championships win to Guercilena
Cycling
Quinn Simmons has plenty to be happy about after securing his third United States national champion's jersey last Sunday. Not only will the Lidl-Trek rider be once again at the Tour de France in the stripes and stars, but he got to fulfil a big wish for outgoing team boss Luca Guercelina.
Fast becoming synonymous with one of the stand-out jerseys in the peloton, Simmons sees the importance in having the US champion represented at the world's biggest race. Racing at the Tour is among the most important things to Simmons.
"It's really important for me to wear this jersey," he told FloBikes broadcasters after the race.
He added: "I think it's super important that it's worn at the biggest races, and we need a top rider in it. So, it will be the third year I get to wear the jersey at the biggest bike race in the world, and you know, for me, that's super special. As an American, I love to race in that jersey in Europe and show it. Now we take it to the Tour."
Simmons dreams of Tour de France glory
Simmons gained a huge amount of supporters in 2025 for his breakaway exploits both at the Tour and high-profile races such as Il Lombardia, coming just short of victory in spectacular fashion. Represented in four breakaway stages, he was top ten in two of those days.
"My biggest dream of the whole season is to win a stage [of the Tour de France] wearing this jersey. In order to do that, you have to first get the jersey. So step one complete."
Lidl-Trek is set to undergo major changes in the coming months, with long-time team boss Luca Guercelina to step back after the Tour de France. In his seventh year with the team under Guercelina, Simmons noted a message from him as a big motivation for chasing an elusive first Tour de France victory.
Noting his US victory, Simmons eluded to his Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes triumph as the second time he's come good for Guercelina - although he hopes he can soon be third time lucky.
Luca Guercelina message
He said: "I remember I got a message from my manager, Luca, that he wanted me to win some races for him before he left the team. He's leaving in six weeks, and so far I've done two since he sent me that message. It's kind of nice to pay the team back after years of supporting me."
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Simmons won his first US National Championships back in 2017, and noted his pride in taking his third road race title in the company of his father on Father's Day itself.
"It's been 10 years now that I've been coming to Nationals with Dad. This is our 10th one if you count all the disciplines. So that's a pretty good success ratio for sure to be three-time national champion with him on the side of the road. It's not many guys who can say they did that."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- It doesnt take a genius to understand that Pogi is 1 level above and Pogi is younger that Jonas, so Jonas will not win under ordinary circumstances. Pogi has to crack hard for Jonas to win. It doesn't matter whether you defend Jonas or not , facts remain facts. Jonas himself says his numbers are better than 2022/2023, so Jonas is more or less optimized and we are just see the stochastic variation due to other factors. I think he will retire along with Pedersen in WC denmarkabstractengineer13-11-2026
- They only raced each other during the 2026 Tour, but here's a few metrics to look at. Stage 3 (Granollers to Les Angles): Pogačar won the stage, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Vingegaard (2nd). Del Toro finished 24 seconds behind Stage 6 (Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre / Col du Tourmalet): Pogačar won solo, Vingegaard finished 2nd (losing 2:38), and Del Toro finished 3rd (at +2:57, finishing 19 seconds behind Vingegaard). Here, Jonas Vingegaard outclimbed Isaac del Toro by 19 seconds on the mountain stageawp13-11-2026
- your clinging to the past. Jonas was dropped by del toro many times last year and jonas never managed a climbing numers del toro did in dauphine last year -entire year. Trend is also evident theres no discussion your living in the past, its beent he same with jonas for many years now and only developing, meanwhile del toro is rising and developing greatly. This is all obvious stuff and im not even a del toro fan. No point discussing numbers or this i suspect you dont watch much now but rather think its 2022 still cause this aint hard.miguel13-11-2026
- We can go through metrics if you like, Del Toro, who I do admire and support, is not on the same level as Jonas just yet. You will see that in early 2027 if they have any crossover races. I do hope they both race the Giro. You are correct though, Jonas is getting older and will not be able to hand on much longer. I see 2027 as a good year for him. Obviously behind Tadej though.awp13-11-2026
- What wins? Are you LA operating under a pseudonym?mij13-11-2026
- My point is this - Tadej, Remco, Seixas are all the outliers. Many riders don’t hit their peak until 28. It’s way too early to write him off. And the pogi slo guy that hates him - he’s also immature. Ayuso needs time.mij13-11-2026
- Then you need to use ur eyes or head if you have cause del toro already dropped jonas two times and beat him in tdf stages already this year.. Del toro climbed(dauphine) better numbers than jonas did all year too. So ur feelings and wishful thinking doesnt amtter del toro himself has already surpassed jonas infact just facts. Its also very evident for anyone objective that Jonas is declining alot, its just the truth and super obvious.miguel13-11-2026
- None of those victories stand, so there's that,wrsty13-11-2026
- No surprise there; it is British Sycling, yes, with an S
Rafionain-Glas12-11-2026 - I like Del Toro but he's not on the level of Jonas, by a large margin.awp12-11-2026
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