Quinn Simmons seems to be on his way back with a Strava record on the famous Cauberg

After last twelve months clothed in stripes and stars that felt more like a struggling to Quinn Simmons, the last year's American road champion seems to be well on his way back to fulfill the promise of a 2019 junior world champion. The 23-year-old had just had just equalled the Strava KoM record of Philippe Gilbert on the famous Dutch climb Cauberg, which is often used on the Amstel Gold Race route.

For the record: the time of 1 minute and 27 seconds equates to an average speed of 32.1 kilometers per hour on a hill with an average gradient of 8.6 percent. Tom Pidcock, who finished second in the 2021 Amstel Gold Race, was even one second slower that year. "It's a nice record to have, right?" Simmons laughs when IDLProCycling bring it up in an interview.

Read also

ANALYSIS | INEOS Grenadiers in 2024: From Bad to Worse

"It wasn't really a goal. We were just returning from our training, and I felt like I had good legs, so I thought I’d give it a go. We just happened to be on the route," says Simmons.

What's up next for the former American champion? "I will do the Canadian races. Quebec is a great race, while Montreal is, of course, quite tough. The World Championships are usually on the schedule as well, and I would also like to do a few one-day races after that. There are still opportunities, but ultimately I just need to get back to racing and find my place in the peloton again."

Read also

"After yesterday's wear and tear I was here to help" - Marc Soler rides to third on the day after McNulty and Vine disaster

Mikel Landa, after his great performance in Ancares: "I see Roglic far ahead, but there's still a lot of Vuelta a España left"