“You don’t waste a rider like that" - Armstrong and Hincapie question Lidl-Trek's use of Quinn Simmons

Stage 8 of the Tour de France delivered a thunderous sprint finish and a moment of national pride for Italy. Jonathan Milan, riding for Lidl–Trek, blasted to his first Tour de France stage win in Laval, marking the first Italian victory at the race since Vincenzo Nibali in 2019, six years ago.

“This is hard to believe,” Lance Armstrong said on The Move podcast. “In terms of cycling history, the Italians are probably a top-three country over the last century… it’s been six years since an Italian won a stage at the Tour de France.”

What made Milan’s win even more striking was how he did it, largely alone.

“He was on his own in the final,” said George Hincapie. “They took him to like 3 or 4K to go, then he was doing it solo. He had to surf wheels and still found the space to launch. He just muscled through it.”

The Italian’s power is no mystery. Bradley Wiggins noted that Milan is the world record holder in the individual 4,000m pursuit and an Olympic gold medalist on the track. That track pedigree showed.

“According to the coverage,” said Armstrong, “he hits 2,000 watts at peak in his sprint. That’s crazy power.”

Spencer Martin added: “They tested him riding with his head high versus low at 2,000 watts. The difference was a full bike length. That’s the kind of edge we’re talking about.”

But not everyone was in a celebratory mood. Hincapie was visibly frustrated with how Milan’s teammate, and American national champion, Quinn Simmons has been deployed throughout the race.

“I don’t like it one bit,” Hincapie said. “He’s the strongest breakaway rider in the Tour right now, he can win a stage, and they’re burning his matches like crazy. Pulling on Stage 1, again today—why are they putting our national champion on the front all day?”

“He was in the wind constantly. That’s a guy who can win a stage.”

Simmons, a late addition to the Lidl–Trek lineup after winning the national championship and a stage at the Tour de Suisse, has consistently been at the front, either pulling the peloton or in breakaways. But the hosts questioned whether the team was misusing one of its most versatile riders.

“Yes, Milan won. But Quinn’s been at or near the front every day,” Armstrong said. “You don’t waste a rider like that. Not when he’s in this kind of form.”

The team’s controversial decision to leave Mads Pedersen at home was also revisited. Milan’s victory may have validated that choice for now, but it hasn’t silenced questions about the team’s overall plan, or Simmons' role in it.

There was undoubtedly pressure on Milan’s shoulders to justify his selection over Mads Pedersen. Remember, Pedersen won four stages and the points classification at the Giro, and is a top 5 rider in the world in many expert’s opinions.

As the race heads into Bastille Day and beyond, Armstrong and his crew expect fireworks, not just from Milan and the sprinters, but also from the GC battle. The race is yet to truly reach the mountains, but already Tadej Pogacar leads by around a minute with two stage wins under his belt.

The gap would have been much closer had Vingegaard not suffered his off day in the time trial on stage 5. But, overall, it has been a positive start for Visma, especially after stage 8’s sprint where Wout van Aert came second. With riders like van Aert building form, and teammates like Sepp Kuss waiting for the high mountains, the second week promises more chances for the GC men, which should suit Visma.