Simmons confirmed own feelings at World Championship with ninth place: "As junior I was one of the best ever"
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Follow us on GoogleQuinn Simmons ended a challenging year with a nice ninth-place finish at the World Cycling Championships in Zurich. The 23-year-old American reflects on a difficult season and derives hope from his solid season finale. In 2025, he hopes to advance and join the (sub)top, but he knows it will be tough.
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"It's nice to see that finally, I was back there because it's been almost two years since I've been at the front of a super big race like this," Simmons told Velo. In Switzerland, he was one of the riders trying to follow the attack of eventual world champion Tadej Pogacar. "I look back now and see how on the limit I put myself just to try and follow Pogačar. I was two laps dropped, then to still fight back and be ninth."
"It's a small result, but to do it in almost the most inefficient way possible. The other guys who tried to follow me didn't even finish." There was more in it for the American had he dealt with the race differently. "I'm almost 100 percent certain if I ride the race better, I can be fighting for a medal. It's my mistake, not my fitness. My legs were there to be on the podium," said the Durango man, who has the fastest time on the Cauberg.
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Honest Simmons: "I know there are guys who can do more"
Against the power of superstars such as Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel, Simmons can't compete yet. 'I'm not going to sell myself short; I see what I can do in training; I know there are many guys who can't do this. But I also know there are many guys who can do more [than me].'"The former U.S. champion is still young, even though he just finished his fifth year at the WorldTour level. He has not yet found the connection to the top. I'd be lying if I didn't say it's a bit annoying. Because, as a junior, I was one of the best there ever was, really. But I also haven't had a super clean run of things."
"My neo-pro year was ruined by corona[virus]. I had a lot of crashes and a lot of problems. I still do believe that when I put together a full season, I can be up there." In the future, he sets his sights on races like the Amstel Gold Race and Strade Bianche. "For sure, I'm not going to be doing what these other crazy freaks [at the top of the sport] do, but I do believe I can win at least one of these big races. As soon as I don't believe that, I'm gonna stop cycling. Because for me, there's no point to be here if I don't think I can win the biggest races."
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026