Quinn Simmons: US Cycling Is “Not as Dead as People Like to Say” After McNulty’s World Title

The Quinn Simmons US cycling future discussion has often been dominated by narratives of decline, but the Lidl-Trek powerhouse is offering a different perspective. Speaking to Domestique before Il Lombardia, after finishing fourth in the world championship road race in Montréal, Simmons said US cycling is “not as dead as people like to say.” He pointed to Brandon McNulty’s world title as a big day for American cycling.

A Pivotal Role in Montréal

Simmons finished fourth in the world championship road race in Montréal and played a central role in Brandon McNulty’s win. He attacked with Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert with 85 km to go. When McNulty attacked, Simmons marked moves and, with Matteo Jorgenson, disrupted the chase. McNulty became the first American to win the men’s road race world title in 33 years.

Simmons called it “a huge day for American cycling” and said Americans “probably haven’t even realized how big of a day it was yet.”

On Team USA’s Worlds performance:

“It was a huge day for American cycling, we probably haven’t even realized how big of a day it was yet.”

📊 Quinn Simmons — 2026 Season & Team USA Role

Refuting the Narrative of Decline

Domestically, US cycling has faced significant headwinds, including the loss of major races like the Tour of California and a shrinking number of elite-level domestic teams. These structural issues often lead commentators to suggest that American riders have no viable path to the WorldTour.

Simmons disagrees with the pessimistic outlook, at least in part. He said there are only about 14 WorldTour riders from the US, but that the best ten are good riders. He also said the American financial model will not back races that lose money.

On the health of US Cycling:

“In some ways, I’d say it’s kicking on. Maybe there’s only 14 or so WorldTour riders but the top ten of us are quite good riders.”

Simmons won the junior world title in Yorkshire in 2019 and then joined Trek-Segafredo, now Lidl-Trek. In 2026 he won his second US national road race title. On the money side, he said: “Until cycling finds a way to profit off its spectators, you’re not going to find big American companies willing to lose money to put on races.”

Key Takeaways

• 🌟 Worlds Impact: Quinn Simmons finished fourth in Montréal and helped Brandon McNulty win the world title.
• 🗣️ US Cycling: Simmons says it is “not as dead as people like to say” and “kicking on” in some ways.
• 🇺🇸 A career highlight: Of McNulty’s win he said: “It’s something that will highlight a lot of our careers.”
• 💶 Money: He says cycling “needs to change before it will grow in the US.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What did Quinn Simmons say about the state of US cycling?

A1: Simmons said US cycling is “not as dead as people like to say,” and that it is “kicking on” in some ways, pointing to McNulty’s world title.

Q2: What role did Quinn Simmons play at the 2026 UCI World Championships?

A2: Simmons finished fourth in the road race in Montréal. He attacked with Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert with 85 km to go, then marked moves and blocked the chase with Matteo Jorgenson once McNulty attacked.

Interactive Reader Poll

Do you agree with Quinn Simmons that the future of US cycling is bright?

• Option A: Yes, the current generation of US WorldTour pros is stronger than ever.
• Option B: No, the lack of domestic racing infrastructure is hurting development long-term.

Final Verdict & Strategic Impact

Quinn Simmons’ comments come after the first American men’s road race world title in 33 years. The traditional domestic racing scene has contracted, but a new generation of US riders is racing on European teams. As Simmons continues his career with Lidl-Trek, he remains a vital figure not only for his team but as an ambassador for the future of American road cycling.

Stay tuned to SportViaX.com for more cycling news and analysis. Quotes in this article come from Quinn Simmons’ interview with Domestique.