Simmons accepts Lidl’s priorities: ‘They care more about Mads winning green than me winning a stage’

The American made the admission after another aggressive ride on stage 15, where he was the final breakaway rider caught on the Plateau de Solaison.

Simmons has spent much of the Tour looking for an opportunity to win a stage, but Lidl-Trek’s main focus remains Pedersen’s green jersey campaign. The hierarchy within the team, he said, has been made clear.

“The team has made it obvious that they care more about Mads winning the green jersey than about me winning a stage,” Simmons told LeTour.fr.

“At the end of the day, they write my paycheck, so I have to do what I am told.”

Simmons has been one of the most active breakaway riders of the Tour, but his opportunities are partly determined by Pedersen’s position in the points classification.

Pedersen is aiming to add the Tour’s green jersey to the points classifications he has already won at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. Victory would make him only the sixth rider to win the points jersey at all three Grand Tours, after Eddy Merckx, Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, Laurent Jalabert, Alessandro Petacchi and Mark Cavendish.

Simmons said he remained committed to that objective, despite his own ambition to win a first Tour stage.

“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.”

His ride on stage 15 was another indication that his form is improving as the race progresses.

Simmons made the 24 rider breakaway after the intermediate sprint and remained at the front as the group was reduced over the climbs.

He attacked with just under 50 kilometres remaining on the Col de la Croisette and reached the summit ahead of the other breakaway riders. After being caught on the descent, he went again on the Plateau de Solaison.

Schmid started the final climb with a small advantage, but Simmons bridged across and continued alone. The rapidly approaching favourites ended his attempt inside the final five kilometres.

“I always become better and better towards the end of Grand Tours,” Simmons said.

“I think it’s my physiology. I really struggle in the first week, and then ride into the race. I’m just happy I’m still going on that note this year.”

The combativity award at least earned Simmons a trip to the podium, providing some reward for another aggressive display.

“It’s super nice to have my parents here,” he said.

“They’ve come to all four of my Tours de France. I’m trying to win a stage while they are still here. At least today I’m on the podium, so that’s a step in the right direction. I was pretty far from winning, though.”

Simmons also produced a notable roadside interaction of the race during the stage.

While riding at full effort near the front, he moved towards a supporter and reached out for a high five before continuing with his attack.

It echoed a similar moment earlier in the Tour, when Simmons high fived his father, Scott, from the breakaway. 

Moments like these, combined with his relentless attacking style, have helped make the American one of the race’s standout riders, even though the stage win he came to France chasing continues to elude him.