'I told the team they should bring me' – Quinn Simmons justifies Tour selection with key assist

Quinn Simmons finally crossed the finish line at the Tour de France with his arms in the air, but he must wait a little longer for a maiden stage victory in the biggest race of them all.

On the rugged road to Foix on stage 4, the American champion was deployed in a super domestique role, entering the break of the day with Lidl-Trek teammates Mads Pedersen and Mathias Vacek.

Pedersen’s finishing speed offered Lidl-Trek the clearest route to victory and they raced accordingly. Simmons offered up a masterclass in pacing on the Col de Montségur to ensure Pedersen stayed in contention. 

Over the other side, the 10-man dash to the line felt like a formality, and Pedersen duly thundered to victory, while Simmons rolled home in second place with his arms aloft. To complete a fine day’s work, Pedersen moved into the green jersey, while Vacek takes over the white jersey of best young rider.

“It seems everyone on the team but me got a prize, but yeah, it was nice,” Simmons joked to TNT Sports, continuing in a deadpan vein when asked about Lidl-Trek’s strategy on the day.

“The strategy was to go on the break and then win the stage with Mads. I think you saw the strategy.”

The Lidl-Trek trio were part of an initial group of 34 that forged clear and by the midpoint, it was evident that Tadej Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG were prepared to grant them their freedom.

That leeway would see Torstein Træen (Uno-X Mobility) moved into the yellow jersey by day’s end, and it also allowed Vacek and Simmons to get to work on Pedersen’s behalf, with the Dane later hailing their efforts as a “masterpiece of teamwork.”

“I think when you have someone like Vacek and a leader like Mads and a team with our horsepower combined on a good day, it's kind of hard to beat us,” Simmon said. “So I’m just glad it worked out for Mads and he got his stage.”

Simmons went close on a number of occasions last year, but his strength did not translate to a stage victory. He will hope for opportunities later in the race, though Pedersen’s green jersey bid and Juan Ayuso’s GC challenge are the overarching priorities for his team.

“Yeah, don’t remind me that we’re only four days in. I don’t like to think about that in the first week,” Simmons laughed. “We came here for a stage and to do a good GC and so far we’re doing both, so we hope it stays like this.”

Simmons was adamant, however, that his performance here was evidence of why he was worthy of a spot in the Lidl-Trek team. The 25-year-old had a low-key start to the year, but his form caught fire in June with a stage win at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and his third American road race title.

“I mean, it’s no secret anymore what I can do on a good day, so I don’t need to pretend,” Simmons said. “I told the team they should bring me to the Tour because I can do a day like this, and I’m just happy it worked out for Mads.”