The Tour de France's best domestique - American champion Quinn Simmons once again awarded in Paris
CyclingMonday, 27 July 2026 at 11:32
The United States of America were on the podium of the 2026 Tour de France, not through one of its riders finishing on the Top3, but rather due to Quinn Simmons, who has been awarded the 'top domestique' award for a second year in a row.
Simmons the best Tour de France domestique for two years in a row
The USA did not have the flashiest Tour when it comes to results, not taking any stage win and not having any of its riders featuring in the battle for any of the race's jerseys. Lidl-Trek, formerly an American team, won the team's classification - but over the winter, its license has changed to Germany.
However the North American nation could enjoy the triumph of one of its riders: Quinn Simmons. In 2025, 'Captain America' was already awarded with the top domestique award, and this time around his work was once again not unnoticed.
Simmons has achieved this due to the work provided for his team. In the end, he contributed to the victory in the teams' classification, the green jersey conquered by Mads Pedersen; as well as the Top10 results of Mattias Skjelmose and Juan Ayuso.
Quinn Simmons was the 2026 Tour de France's top domestique
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A reward after a race giving it his all for the team
It is not by chance that Simmons has once again conquered this award. In 2025, his work chasing down breakaways on the flat days for Jonathan Milan was combined with his own stage hunting ambitions. At the end of the day, his results were put on a secondary role whilst his supporting duties were the most noticeable throughout large hours at the race.
And this time around the situation was not very different. Mads Pedersen won the points classification, and much of it was due to Simmons' own work. The American didn't spend time chasing down breakaways on pan-flat days this time around, but was often leading out Pedersen into bunch and intermediate sprints, despite being far from his specialty.
The 25-year old was often attacking to form breakaways that could steal the points from the likes of Jasper Philipsen and Biniam Girmay; he was often present with Mads Pedersen himself in the breakaways and working for the Dane... On stage 4, the Dane's win was much due to the work of Simmons and Mathias Vacek who controlled the attacks and rode the team into its sole stage win.
But despite achieving this result and putting in endless work, this continued to be the case all the way to Paris. Simmons was present in seven breakaways throughout the race, proving to not only be an aid for Pedersen, but also a sattelite rider for Juan Ayuso and Mattias Skjelmose who aimed for the overall classification.
On stage 15 to Plateau de Solaison he got an opportunity and, if it weren't for UAE and Visma's chase, he could've taken the stage win. On stage 19 finishing atop Alpe d'Huez, he crossed the line together with Juan Ayuso who had cracked on the final ascent and lost time to his rivals.
His selflessness was also accepted, and despite the honest words to the media, he remained loyal to his leaders: “The team has made it obvious that they care more about Mads winning the green jersey than about me winning a stage. At the end of the day, they write my paycheck, so I have to do what I am told.”
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- This doper couldn't even crack the top 10 without a huge doping program. Zero natural talent for a 3 week race and not a lot for the classics.Cyclingnut27-07-2026
- Totally agree about the route change - even if the pure sprinters never win in Paris again.Crashjames27-07-2026
- Surprising comment from LA - still don’t think tadej will eclipse Eddy for total accomplishments as a cyclistCrashjames27-07-2026
- Last year, the Montmarte finale was highly controversial, recieving pressure from GC riders, who said "don't let this jeopardise our Tours" (chiefly Jonas Vingegaard of course) and sprinters, who said "don't let this take away our big opportunity". While the latter part did not cause the GC neutralisation, it added to the pressure. After the magnificent finale it gave, criticism was reduced but one season on that was still not enough for the GC to run to the end. After yesterday's race, very few riders will criticise it. Of the sprinters, only Tim Merlier would dislike it. And the GC riders have got used to it. Next year, it may not be so. And with 2:18 over Seixas, del Toro was certainly breathing s sigh of relief
Rafionain-Glas27-07-2026 - Apparently the course was constantly being strewn with broken glass, nails etc, faster than the sweepers could clear it. And then IDT did get a puncture!Hills3327-07-2026
- I am also capable of winning so long as no professional riders start, or to be honest, any other riders at all. Useless statement to make. He demonstrably hasn't proven he's capable of winning because he hasn't won. Who writes this nonsense?wrsty27-07-2026
- Tot siens tot volgende jaar ou boet. Remember to breathe and keep the rubber side down.
Andrew27-07-2026 - Quote :mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales 26 July 2026 at 21:30 + 238 Let me repeat Bruyneels words: "Thijs Zonneveld, you are an idiot." That's all I've got to say !!!”Andrew27-07-2026
- Some are only happy if it’s Pog helping out a team mate other than that it is verboten. I doubt Philipsen would have caught VDP but hard to say with certainty.Andrew27-07-2026
- How stupid to stop the time at 41km. Idt must be heaving a sigh of relief in his white jersey. They should have let the clock run right till the end.Andrew27-07-2026
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