Lidl-Trek reacts to Quinn Simmons’ comments on team’s Tour strategy
Lidl-Trek sports director Steven de Jongh says he understands the frustration felt by Quinn Simmons and Mathias Vacek, but insists the team will continue to prioritise Mads Pedersen’s pursuit of the green jersey at the Tour de France.
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Simmons recently acknowledged that Pedersen’s points classification campaign carries more weight within the team than his own ambition of winning a stage.
“The team has made it obvious that they care more about Mads winning the green jersey than about me winning a stage,” the American told LeTour.fr after stage 15.
“At the end of the day, they write my paycheck, so I have to do what I am told.”
Asked about those comments ahead of stage 17 on Wednesday, De Jongh said he had no issue with Simmons expressing his disappointment.
“I understand the frustration, and I think the same applies to Mathias Vacek,” De Jongh told In de Leiderstrui. “But we came here with a clear objective, which is to win the green jersey with Mads. They knew that beforehand, and they also know we need them to help Mads achieve it.”
Pedersen is attempting to complete a rare sweep of the points classifications at all three Grand Tours, having already won the corresponding jerseys at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.
De Jongh believes that opportunity is too significant for Lidl-Trek to pass up.
“It might be his final chance to win the green jersey,” he said. “The riders are sticking to the plan, which is the most important thing. They are allowed to express their frustration. There is nothing wrong with that.
“But in the end, we will continue doing what we are doing. Quinn and Mathias are athletes who want to win, and they still have long careers ahead of them.”
Simmons has been one of the most aggressive riders of this Tour, regularly joining breakaways and coming closest to victory on stage 15.
Despite his personal ambitions, Simmons has repeatedly stressed that he remains committed to Pedersen’s green jersey campaign.
“I’m fully here to support Mads on his quest to win the green jersey after ticking off the points jersey in the Giro and the Vuelta,” he said.
“If I can play a big role in that, that’s pretty special too.”
De Jongh suggested that Simmons and Vacek will receive more freedom in future Tours if Lidl-Trek shifts its attention towards challenging for the yellow jersey.
“When our focus moves more towards the general classification, they will get their opportunities,” he said. “We want to win the Tour de France one day. If that becomes the main objective, there will be less room to focus on green, and that will create more opportunities for the attackers.”
For now, Lidl-Trek’s focus remains firmly on bringing the green jersey to Paris. That task became significantly more difficult after stage 17, when Pedersen’s main rival Jasper Philipsen took the victory and moved to within seven points of the Dane in the standings.
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