What’s next for Quinn Simmons after disagreements come to the surface with team at Tour de France?

What’s next for Quinn Simmons after disagreements come to the surface with team at Tour de France?

His stage 15 attack showed he has the form to win in the mountains, but a seven-point contest with Jasper Philipsen leaves little room for personal ambition.

By Tim Bonville-Ginn · 24 July 2026 · 12:43 PM · 4 min read

Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) has accepted that his late-Tour de France stage ambitions must give way to Mads Pedersen’s green-jersey campaign, despite making clear his frustration with the team’s priorities. That tension has attracted further attention after a video appeared to show him snatching a cloth from a team mechanic.

In recent days, he has expressed frustration that the team is prioritising Pedersen’s fight for green over stage wins, despite the US champion producing some of his best climbing performances. Lidl-Trek has stressed that every rider understood the objective before the Tour and was expected to follow the agreed plan.

Could that frustration eventually lead Simmons to consider leaving Lidl-Trek? He joined from club team LUX Cycling in 2020, and Lidl-Trek remains the only professional team he has represented, but his frustration seems to be spilling over into public video. A recent video captured by Velora Cycling showed how he wasn’t happy with a team mechanic wiping the dust off his bike, he then snatched the cloth and did it himself, turning away from the mechanic while senior staff members watched on.

Lidl-Trek even replied to another video capturing the moment, from From The Paddock’s Facebook page, in an attempt to cool things down by saying “Quinn had just returned from the podium presentation. As you can see, the parking was on dusty gravel. Quinn was simply wiping off the dust from his bike. No animosity, no controversy.”

But is there something more to all this? Lidl-Trek have made it clear again this week that Simmons and his teammates are focused on making sure Pedersen takes green first then on Ayuso and Skjelmose’s GC positions before they look at the likes of Simmons and Mathias Vacek for stage wins.

Simmons showed no hesitation in airing his discontent in comments made to told Cyclingnews, "I think the team has made it quite obvious they care more that Mads wins the green than I win a stage,"

Together, Simmons’ comments and the mechanic video have prompted questions about his future. His contract expires at the end of the year, although there are few obvious WorldTour destinations.

Stage 15 showed Simmons’ form and role

Simmons’ strongest ride at this Tour came on stage 15 from Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison on Sunday, July 19. After spending much of the day in the breakaway, he went clear of riders such as Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) and Yannis Voisard (Tudor).

The general classification contenders caught him around five kilometres from the summit. Simmons then dropped back to pace Lidl-Trek leaders Juan Ayuso and Mattias Skjelmose rather than continue riding solely for his own result.

He still finished 10th and received the day’s combativity prize. The ride also extended his range into terrain where he had previously been less consistent, following several breakaway appearances and second place on stage 4 while helping Pedersen win.

Stage 4 hinted at what would follow, with Pedersen taking green and establishing a substantial lead. His rivals have since reduced that advantage, increasing the pressure on Lidl-Trek to carry the jersey to Paris. Stage 17 showed that Simmons is still getting into breaks, but he was solely there to support Pedersen, who took the max of 25 points. Philipsen did then take 50 points and the win later on, cutting his lead down to seven points.

The pattern continued on stage 18, when Pedersen again took 25 points at the intermediate sprint and Philipsen did not score at the summit finish. That result put Pedersen back in pole position to deliver Lidl-Trek’s main objective, potentially creating more freedom for Simmons, although Ayuso and Skjelmose’s GC positions may still require his support.

Simmons’ parents, Scott and Holly, have attended each of his four Tours. His father has appeared on mountain roads to offer a high-five, while other supporters have worn replica US champion outfits as Simmons has become more competitive on long climbs seemingly every time he sees them. It seems to motivate him, and it has shown in his performances.

My perspective

Simmons has polarised cycling audiences in recent years with controversial views. His ability and current form are equally difficult to ignore. I completely understand why Lidl-Trek are keeping him back to support Pedersen, but they are missing a big chance to go for stage wins with their US champion who is chomping at the bit to get up the road and be aggressive on the bike.

His frustration has been very clear this Tour late in the second week and into the third as he went so close on stage 15. From then on he has been one of Pedersen’s lieutenants not leaving his side on stages that would suit his attributes. Stage 18 would have been an ideal stage for the rider from Colorado. But he was focused on making sure Pedersen got the maximum points in the intermediate sprint before sticking with the GC riders later in the day.

With the frustration around the team, Simmons may start looking elsewhere. He suits Lidl-Trek and has been there his whole pro career. But, with his contract up at the end of this season, will he look to jump ship? A team that would make sense would be EF Education-EasyPost from a national point of view, but would someone as polarising as Simmons work at a team like EF? Another very interesting possible move would be to George Hincapie’s Modern Adventure Pro Cycling. The US-based second-division team are on the up and would be thrilled to take on a rider like Simmons. But would he be willing to drop down a division and potentially miss out on Grand Tour racing?

Modern Adventure could suit Simmons, but dropping below WorldTour level would mean sacrificing guaranteed access to its full calendar. Staying with Lidl-Trek therefore appears more likely, potentially with Simmons seeking greater freedom in selected races while retaining a team role on other days. Whether Lidl-Trek would accept those terms is less certain.

Is this just something of nothing, though? Lidl-Trek’s management have said Simmons’ frustration is understandable and imagine riders like Mathias Vacek feel the same after the Czech champion came into the race after finishing on the podium at the Tour de Suisse and taking both the road and time trial Czechia titles. But they still toe the line of the team’s collective goal.

What happens next is, ultimately, up to Simmons. But this Tour may change where his career goes in the future.

Cover image credit: Charly Lopez

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Tim Bonville-Ginn

Pro cycling contributor

Tim Bonville-Ginn is a freelance writer who has worked in cycling for well over a decade with his articles being featured across publications such as Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Cyclist, Rouleur, Eurosport, Road cc, Domestique, and more.

As well as writing, Tim has worked as a social media and press manager for professional teams Human Powered Health, Global 6, and Saint Piran across Europe as well as commentating on races such as the African Continental Championships, Tour de Feminin and multiple rounds of the British road and circuit series for Golazo and Monument Cycling.

Expertise:Racing