Quinn Simmons Seeks to Revolutionize Pro Cycling with Showmanship at 2025 Tour de France
American cyclist Quinn Simmons aims to inject entertainment into professional cycling, drawing inspiration from Peter Sagan and hockey stars. He hopes to elevate the sport’s appeal to a new generation.
Quinn Simmons is set to bring his unique style to the 2025 Tour de France, but beyond his handlebar mustache and flowing hair, he envisions a future where pro cyclists embrace showmanship to captivate a global audience.
The “Sagan” Effect: Cycling Needs More Personality
Simmons believes that cycling can learn from other sports, particularly hockey, where athletes display more personality. He cites Peter Sagan, the former three-time world champion, as an example of a rider who combined athletic success with entertainment value. “Peter Sagan made me want to be a bike racer,” Simmons said, admiring Sagan’s ability to be both a successful athlete and an entertainer.
Sagan himself embodied this philosophy, once stating, “They laugh at me because I’m different, I laugh at them because they’re all the same.”
Simmons suggests that current cycling culture often lacks this flair. After a major win, cyclists often give generic responses, such as, “The legs were good, thanks to the team,” which, according to Simmons, is “boring for a 15-year-old kid watching at home.”
Simmons’ Vision: Performance and Entertainment
Simmons recognizes the need to balance performance with entertainment. “Sport is first about the performance but lets also give the people something to watch too,” he suggested. He is also critical of influencers who emphasize style over substance: “The American influencers take the sport too far and forget you need to perform. First, you need to win the big bike races, then you can have a bit of style.”
He also addressed the sport’s financial structure, questioning why cyclists don’t earn higher salaries given its large viewership. “If you want to talk about the business model of the sport, then it’s messed up that we don’t make the big salaries considering the number of people that watch the sport.”
The 2025 Tour de France: A Stage to Shine
The 2025 Tour de France provides Simmons with a significant platform to showcase his talents and ideas. He is one of five American riders participating, alongside Matteo Jorgenson and Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike), Will Barta (Movistar) and Neilson Powless of EF Education-EasyPost.
Simmons secured his spot on the Lidl-Trek team after winning the US national title and a stage at the Tour de Suisse. “I knew since the winter that I had a real chance of selection, but if you look at the riders in this team, it’s always going to be a fight,” he remarked.
His previous Tour debut in 2022 ended prematurely due to a crash. “It’s been a rough few years for me. Especially after I crashed out of the Tour last time,” he recalled. However, he feels prepared for this year’s race: “This year is different. I feel I’m in the best shape of my life.”
Team Roles and Personal Ambitions
Lidl-Trek has designated Mattias Skjelmose as their GC leader, with the team primarily focused on supporting Jonathan Milan in the sprints and Thibau Nys on the hillier stages. Simmons anticipates opportunities later in the race but acknowledges his initial role as a “breakaway killer.”
“I’d prefer to do that than sit in the bunch,” he stated. He also expressed support for his teammate: “The sprint days feel so long when you don’t have a sprinter, but when you have a rider like Johnny, one of these days, he’s going to get it done, and that’s super nice for the whole team.”
Simmons is focused on the team’s success first: “There are some big opportunities for me, but we’ve got to get through the first week, do the sprints for Johnny and keep Mattias safe, too. Then maybe it’ll be my chance.”
