Quinn Simmons disappointed with Strade Bianche result - "Thinking about this race every day this year and again I failed"

Quinn Simmons placed twelfth in the Strade Bianche, which is a respectable result considering the high calibre of riders he was up against. Nevertheless, he thinks he could have achieved more, especially since he finished seventh in the same race in the previous year.

"I've been thinking about this race every day this year, and again I failed,” he told Cyclingnews. He had to release his position in the leading group with just 10 kilometers remaining until the finish line, despite being well-positioned. As the sole rider of his team in that group, he had no hope of receiving any support.

He further added, “I was the only one of our team in that group. So I had to gamble a bit. In the end I closed more gaps than I should have done. The guys protected me well all day. After that I felt on the steep climbs that I didn't have it in my legs anymore. I managed to come back a few more times, but the last climb was fatal.”

He debuted at the Italian race in 2021, finishing 54th. While he did improve his performance this time, he is not satisfied with the result and attributes it to his own shortcomings. "It is the third year in a row that I have been released from one of the front groups. We have drawn up a plan as a team and that plan has been followed. Everyone did perfectly. At the end of the course, I have no excuse. I was simply not good enough,” concluded the Trek - Segafredo rider.