The Frontman of American Cycling
Why Quinn Simmons Is a Rockstar on Wheels
In the world of rock, there are artists who follow the rules and those who break them. There are those who play pristine ballads and those who take the stage to blow up the speakers with a single chord. In professional cycling, a sport of tactics and restraint, Quinn Simmons belongs to the latter group. His instrument isn't a Gibson Flying V, it's his Trek Madone. With a look reminiscent of '80s James Hetfield, Simmons is the frontman who doesn't ask permission to set the show on fire.
Born on May 8, 2001, this Durango, Colorado, cyclist doesn't race to please everyone; he races to win, and he does it with the unbridled energy of a punk rock anthem. He's not interested in second place or mediocre results. His philosophy is simple and brutally honest: "No one will remember second place tomorrow." This isn't the mindset of a mere athlete; it's the creed of a rock star.
"No one will remember second place tomorrow."
The Garage Years: Forged in the Mountains
Every rock star has their roots, their "garage phase," where their unique sound is forged. For Simmons, that garage was the rugged and wild San Juan Mountains in Colorado. Before road cycling claimed him, his first love was ski mountaineering; his father, Scott, treated him more like a "brother than a father" on ski tours, encouraging fierce competitiveness. "There are no friendly rides. It's always full throttle." He won a bronze medal at a world championship, proving he had an elite engine before he even knew what a peloton was.
He didn't grow up in fancy cycling schools. His parents put him on a bike at age 4, but he preferred hockey and skiing. His talent was honed on Tuesday night group rides in Durango, competing against local professionals in a raw, unfiltered environment. It was there that he developed his sound: a raw power, endless resilience, and an appetite for suffering that would become his signature.
The Record Contract: Straight to Stardom
With such obvious talent, Simmons did the unthinkable. Like a band going from garage to major label, he skipped the U23 division and signed directly to WorldTour team Trek-Segafredo (now Lidl-Trek) before turning 20. It was a demonstration of the confidence that only generational talents possess. 
His agent had clear instructions: close the contract before the 2019 Junior World Championships. Why? Because he wanted to race "without pressure, just for fun." And he had fun. On the rainy Yorkshire roads, he launched a solo attack more than 30km from the finish line and was crowned World Champion, his platinum-selling debut album.
"I always race to win... I could have been a little smarter and finished fourth. But at least now I know I went 100 percent for the win."
Style on Stage: Aggression, Attitude and Controversy
On the world cycling stage, Simmons' style is unmistakable. It's pure aggression. His races are a flurry of attacks, long breakaways, and a total disregard for conservative strategy. He spends hundreds of miles on the run, like a guitarist who leaps into the audience without thinking. In the 2022 Tour de France, he lasted over 612 kilometers in breakaways, undoubtedly a guitar solo in the best Lynyrd Skynyrd style; in that same Tour, he pulled with such ferocity for a teammate that he had to stop and vomit from the exertion. He doesn't race to conserve, he races to destroy.
For Simmons, and the narrative that builds around him, success isn't defined solely by the number of wins. It's also defined by impact, aggression, and entertainment value. The combativeness award is, for him, a marker of his identity as significant as a victory, much like rock stars who are legendary for their live performances, not just their hits.
His attitude is equally defiant. His idol is Peter Sagan, the cycling "superhero" known for his charisma and rebellious style. When couch potatoes question his tactics, Simmons responds with rock-star disdain: "I know a little more about cycling than the people at home."
And like any good rock star, he hasn't been without controversy. In 2020, Simmons' career was cut short by an off-bike controversy. In response to an anti-Trump tweet from a Dutch journalist, Simmons replied "Bye" with a dark-skinned hand emoji, followed by a "That's right" with a US flag in another reply. His team, Trek-Segafredo, suspended him for "divisive, inflammatory and prejudicial" conduct.
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Simmons has not hesitated to criticize cycling culture. He has explicitly stated that the sport is "boring for a 15-year-old watching at home" and that it lacks the "true superstars" and "personalities" found in American sports. He sees himself as an entertainer, stating:
"We're not very good entertainers. You have to give people something to watch."
The Greatest Hits and the Emotional Side
Simmons' track record is filled with "greatest hits." He is a two-time U.S. National Champion, which allows him to wear the Star-Spangled Banner jersey and his personalized leather jacket. He has won stages in World Tour races such as the Volta a Catalunya and the Tour de Suisse. 
The Encore: A Sound That Sport Needs
Quinn Simmons is more than a cyclist. He's a character, a force of nature with a personality that cycling desperately needs. He's the frontman for a new generation of American talents who not only compete, but do so with unmistakable style and attitude.
He may not play the guitar, but on a bike, Quinn Simmons is the most authentic rock star in the peloton. And his concert has just begun.
But even the toughest rock stars have their ballad. At the 2025 Tour de Suisse, two years after witnessing the tragic crash that claimed the life of cyclist Gino Mäder, Simmons was right behind Mäder when he suffered his fatal accident, and the trauma led him to consider quitting cycling altogether. Simmons won a stage. As he crossed the finish line, there was no cry of rage. He solemnly pointed a finger to the sky, a silent and powerful tribute to his fallen colleague. At that moment, the loud frontman displayed a depth and maturity that shocked the cycling world. 
Photographs by @skin.quimmons