A lot can change in the cycling world over a year, but Durango’s Quinn Simmons domination of the USA Cycling elite men’s road race hasn’t changed.
Simmons dominated the streets of Charleston, West Virginia, winning the national title by over two minutes for the second consecutive year. Simmons sat up in his Lidl-Trek jersey as he crossed the finish line, shooting a finger gun three times and then holding up three fingers with his tongue out to signify his third elite men’s national title.
“This year was more difficult,” Simmons said on the FloBikes broadcast after the race. “Last year, I was just coming off missing a season with an injury. I flew a little more under the radar. Then today it was 100 versus one. I just had to do it with the legs. At times, it was pretty frustrating. It’s really important for me to wear this jersey. It’s super important that it’s worn at the biggest races, and we need a top rider in it.”
The Durango star finished 10 laps around the 13.1-mile course in four hours, 43 minutes and 16 seconds. He beat Kevin Vermaerke, who finished 2:04 behind in 4:45:21 and Lawrence Warbasse was third in 4:45:22.
Early in the race, there was a breakaway group that Simmons was a part of, however the race changed a lot, with different riders attacking off the front. Simmons remained in the front group of eight with about 76 miles to go, with about a 1:25 gap to the peloton.
There were times when the peloton caught up with the lead group, with about 20 riders leading the race, including Simmons, with about 60 miles to go. The Modern Adventure Pro Cycling team had plenty of riders at the front and could play team tactics as they attacked off the front with about 45 miles to go.
“It’s annoying to be outnumbered like that,” Simmons said. “At the end of the day, after four hours of racing, there’s a difference between the WorldTour guys. I knew as long as I could make it to the point where everyone was tired, there was a good chance to get away.”
Simmons bided his time while Modern Adventure riders were at the front. He attacked with less than 20 miles to go and rode alone for the final lap, increasing his lead as the finish got closer.
Further down the leaderboard was fellow Durangoan and 2026 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic winner Kai Lokey in 17th, riding for Meridian Racing p/b De La Uz, 6:56 behind Simmons.
“Two days of racing in the heat and humidity of West Virginia later and I can confidently say this was one of the more brutal races I’ve done,” Lokey wrote on Instagram. “Came into this event with clear goals and expectations of myself that weren’t quite met but leaving everything out there is all you can ask for in the end.”
Next up for Simmons will be the Tour de France, which begins on July 4. It’ll be his fourth Tour de France start, and he’ll look to complete his dream of winning a stage in the world’s biggest cycling race in the stars and stripes.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
