Quinn Simmons takes first World Tour win in a race he asked to cancel - "I was one of the riders who voted not to start"

Quinn Simmons' first victory in over year and a half happened today at the Volta a Catalunya, in a day marked only by chaos. The American rouleur was perfectly fit for the kind of explosive finale the riders had at hand, and managed to win with a dashing final kilometer attack on the arrival to Berga.

The day was shortened on several occasions, until the competitive part of the stage was only around 20 kilometers, with twisty roads and small hills scattered. Hence, it was with no surprise than in the final 5 kilometers there were several attacks to try and escape a deorganized peloton - which was not fighting for GC times, as these had been neutralized. Hence, only those wanting a stage win were in the mix, which meant no leadouts.

“First we were going to race, then we didn’t, then a short race, then two laps and then only 25 kilometers at the end. It’s a bit surprising that I won here, because to be honest, I was one of the riders who voted not to start, because of the wind," Simmons said in a post-race interview. "But hey, it’s a World Tour race. It’s my first World Tour win, so this is very special.”

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“Nobody knew what was going to happen. When the race is so short, it can be very nervous. We didn’t even know when we were going to start. I was at the back of the cars taking off my leg warmers, so I was in the third group on the descent. I thought it was over after two kilometers, but I rode back myself. It was crazy.”

In the final kilometer Simmons was part of a small group off the front, and launched an attack to victory. He would be caught already in the final sprint but had enough speed to hold off Pavel Bittner from taking it in the uphill finish. It ended up being the perfect reward for him.

“I only got the news last Thursday that I had to come. It’s super special to get my first WorldTour win, with my family watching at home, and my girlfriend and brother at the finish tomorrow," he concluded. "This is almost a home race for me, near Girona (where he and many pros live, ed.). I hardly ever race in the United States, so I consider this my home race.”

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