Quinn Simmons' crazy power data at World Championships - American's Strava shows just how hard it was to win rainbow jersey
CyclingTuesday, 29 September 2026 at 11:56
The numbers behind Quinn Simmons' extraordinary teammate ride behind Brandon McNulty's extraordinary World Championships win show just how hard it is to win the rainbow jersey.
While the UAE rider took the headlines from victory, a remarkable team performance saw Quinn Simmons first mark a rampaging Mathieu van der Poel over a 50-kilometre period of the race, allowing McNulty and Matteo Jorgenson the advantage of not contributing to the chase behind.
For Simmons, the plan was forged before the race to use their triple leadership credentials to their advantage - which in practice saw the 26-year-old spring into action while Jorgenson also did the bidding among the favourites group.
“We’re all on different teams, but after last night’s meeting, we said: ‘No matter what, an American has to finish on the podium',” Simmons said after the race.
Quinn Simmons in action at the 2026 Montreal World Championships
Simmons follows van der Poel to put USA in driving seat
“I said, ‘Hey guys, anything is possible. We’re racing for the podium, but we can do even better if we ride like this'. And that’s exactly what we did.”
McNulty showed his cards with 35 kilometres to go after Simmons successfully kept van der Poel in check before the race re-grouped at the front. Simmons trusted van der Poel's instincts and followed him in a move that stuck and dictated the race's finale.
"If Van der Poel and Wout make a move, you have to trust their instincts. I think they're pretty good cyclists," he joked.
"I also knew that if the better climbers went, I probably wouldn't be able to keep up. Being up there at the front and giving Jorgenson and McNulty a chance to sit on gave us two options to win."
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Quinn Simmons power data
When the American uploaded his ride to Strava, fans were given an insight into the incredible power behind his gold-assisting performance. In over six hours of riding, the Lidl-Trek rider averaged over 290 watts.
Translated to normalised power, that figure shows at 362 watts. At his peak, likely following attacks or hanging in with Mathieu van der Poel during their breakaway move, his power peaked at almost 1,100 watts - demonstrating just how hard the Montreal showcase was for the race's protagonists.
Despite his outstanding form, Simmons doesn't mind missing out on his best result when the rainbow jersey is on its way to the USA: “Whatever! Who cares about missing a medal when your team takes the jersey?”
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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- Unfortunately del Toro and Seixas spent too much time watching and marking out each other instead of other dangerous riders.Lozza29-09-2026
- RTV SLO: "Today, the Slovenian national team for the home European Cycling Championships will be announced. Tadej Pogačar may even be included on the list." Pogi wants to race, UAE don't want him to race. I personally agree with the UAE bosses, Pogi has nothing more to prove this year... but ... Pogi is feeling good. He doesn't need to be 100% and can still win. Maybe use the ECC as a preparation for Il Lombardia, the last Monument. The only thing that worries me is him crashing hard again. It could be a catastrophe. I just hope Pogi and his team make the right decision.PogiSloFans29-09-2026
- @abstractengineer said: "The difference between Del Toro and Pogi was never more evident at the WC in Montreal." I agree with him, we can't compare Pogi and Del Toro. But the fact is Del Toro didn't have a good team and was left by himself. On the other hand, the Belgians had the best team, but Remco and Wout also got nothing. ZERO!!! It was pathetic and sad watching both of them, Wout in front, Remco behind him, both struggling and out of breath. Why, I don't know, there is absolutely no excuse. I repeat myself "NO EXCUSE"!!! The Belgians were the biggest losers in Montreal.PogiSloFans29-09-2026
- Hey buddy! You're in no position to give me warnings... capish? As for politics in cycling, Quinn Simmons did it to himself in the 2020 controversy of his racism: A cycling journalist had criticized supporters of Donald Trump and asked them to unfollow her. Simmons replied “bye” with a waving-hand emoji using a Black skin tone. When another user asked whether he was a Trump supporter, Simmons replied that he was and always will be, accompanied by a U.S. flag emoji. The Black-hand emoji was interpreted as being racist or as an example of “digital blackface.” ... Trek-Segafredo (that's what they were called at that time) responded very strongly, saying his statements were “divisive, incendiary, and detrimental” to the team and suspended him from racing until further notice. The suspension was eventually lifted. Simmons subsequently went through diversity/inclusion education and media training. Trek described this as part of an ongoing effort. Hey, buddy, you got that now???PogiSloFans29-09-2026
- well one team did not lose control, largely due to mvdp and simmon’s strength. i wonder if in hindsight, mvdp might rethink his tactics. i wonder if he indeed would have been strong enough to stay with all the climbers if he had waited a bit longer….og29-09-2026
- commenters comment like well why didn’t they just bridge across, or cover brandon’s move…. i don’t think you know what it’s like to be that gassed at the end of such a brutally long slugfest…. and mcnulty was probably freshest and his one attack looked initially stronger than any of the recent prior attacks, imo.og29-09-2026
- Another young guy putting too much pressure on himself. At only 22 he has time in his favour.Lozza29-09-2026
- Demi's win in the Women's Race, for all the excitement, finished as per the script. This one was one of the few - Alison Jackson's win at PR also comes to mind - that gives hope to all domestiques and breakaway riders that one day, their turn will come and they will achieve their dream.Cooldude29-09-2026
- I agree with you, we can't compare Pogi and Del Toro. But the fact is Del Toro didn't have a good team and was left by himself. On the other hand, the Belgians had the best team, but Remco and Wout also got nothing. ZERO!!! It was pathetic and sad watching both of them, Wout in front, Remco behind him, both struggling and out of breath. Why, I don't know, there is absolutely no excuse. The Belgians were the biggest losers in Montreal.PogiSloFans29-09-2026
- The Americans had the numbers and no designated leader so if it hjad not been McNulty it would have been Jorgensen attacking so the finale played out according to the numbers.CCooke29-09-2026
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