Quinn Simmons is back in the fray

The former American champion finished second in the final stage of Tour de Luxembourg. “I look forward to coming back to where I belong in the peloton”

Quinn Simmons’ star shines again. Not on the top step of the podium, but after a difficult period away from racing to reset and find himself again, a second place is worth a lot.

In the fifth and final stage of the Tour of Luxembourg, Simmons finished second, three seconds behind winner Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) and ahead of Jegat (Total Energie) and Tiberi (Bahrain) in a sprint. Fifth went to Mads Pedersen, first of the main group.

In a hectic day, both for the stage win and the GC, Quinn proved that the journey to return to the his real level is the on track. An important sign, which many had been waiting for, most of all Quinn himself.

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - SEPTEMBER 22: (L-R) Mathieu Van Der Poel of The Netherlands and Team Alpecin-Deceuninck - Yellow Leader Jersey, Quinn Simmons of The United States and Team Lidl-Trek and Harm Vanhoucke of Belgium and Team Lotto Dstny compete in the breakaway during the 84th Tour de Luxembourg 2024, Stage 5 a 176.9km stage from Mersch to Luxembourg / #UCIWT / on September 22, 2024 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - SEPTEMBER 22: (L-R) Quinn Simmons of The United States and Team Lidl-Trek and Jordan Jegat of France and Team TotalEnergies compete in the breakaway during the 84th Tour de Luxembourg 2024, Stage 5 a 176.9km stage from Mersch to Luxembourg / #UCIWT / on September 22, 2024 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Quinn’s reaction

Second is not bad, but I always race to win. I didn’t have many opportunities like this to win, and when you miss one of these it’s normal to have some regrets.

In the end today we played the game. Tiberi had to ride for the GC and we, as Lidl-Trek, had Mads in the main group. I really had the free card to do my race. It’s just a shame I really missed that last punch to follow Gaudu on the steep climb, but well, it’s under everyone’s eyes the physique difference between me and him on such terrain. In the sprint for the podium I still had the kick to get second. It was a quite hard race, both for the profile and the way we approached it. It was a nice sign to see that also on such a hard race, after a full week working, I still had something in the tank.

I’m happy with my performances after my return in July. But I think also this is my level. I don’t think it’s a surprise. Unfortunately I had to stay far from racing for a while and maybe people forgot that I’m still a good rider. So, it’s nice to be back, to be again in the front. My season unfortunately is short, I haven’t had and will not have many chances so I’m really trying my best to get the most out of it.

It’s good to be back racing. Tour de Luxembourg is a good step in view of the Worlds and the remaining races, especially for the limited time I had to find race rhythm. It was the last test in view of Zurich, where I’ll race with a super strong national team, maybe the best team we have had in the last few years. I can approach it at least with good feedback and enough morale.

I really want to be these weeks as the first step towards the new season, to come back to where I belong in the peloton.

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - SEPTEMBER 22: Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Lidl-Trek - Blue Sprint Jersey competes during the 84th Tour de Luxembourg 2024, Stage 5 a 176.9km stage from Mersch to Luxembourg / #UCIWT / on September 22, 2024 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - SEPTEMBER 22: Quinn Simmons of The United States and Team Lidl-Trek competes in the breakaway during the 84th Tour de Luxembourg 2024, Stage 5 a 176.9km stage from Mersch to Luxembourg / #UCIWT / on September 22, 2024 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - SEPTEMBER 22: (L-R) Antonio Tiberi of Italy and Team Bahrain Victorious, Quinn Simmons of The United States and Team Lidl-Trek and David Gaudu of France and Team Groupama-FDJ attack during the 84th Tour de Luxembourg 2024, Stage 5 a 176.9km stage from Mersch to Luxembourg / #UCIWT / on September 22, 2024 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - SEPTEMBER 22: Alex Kirsch of Luxembourg and Team Lidl-Trek competes during the 84th Tour de Luxembourg 2024, Stage 5 a 176.9km stage from Mersch to Luxembourg / #UCIWT / on September 22, 2024 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - SEPTEMBER 22: (L-R) Mats Wenzel of Team Luxembourg and Quinn Simmons of The United States and Team Lidl-Trek compete in the breakaway during the 84th Tour de Luxembourg 2024, Stage 5 a 176.9km stage from Mersch to Luxembourg / #UCIWT / on September 22, 2024 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - SEPTEMBER 22: Julien Bernard of France and Team Lidl-Trek competes during the 84th Tour de Luxembourg 2024, Stage 5 a 176.9km stage from Mersch to Luxembourg / #UCIWT / on September 22, 2024 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - SEPTEMBER 22: (L-R) Lorenzo Milesi of Italy and Movistar Team and Julien Bernard of France and Team Lidl-Trek compete in the breakaway during the 84th Tour de Luxembourg 2024, Stage 5 a 176.9km stage from Mersch to Luxembourg / #UCIWT / on September 22, 2024 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

MERSCH, LUXEMBOURG - SEPTEMBER 22: Alex Kirsch of Luxembourg, Julien Bernard of France, Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier of Eritrea, Mads Pedersen of Denmark - Blue Points Jersey, Quinn Simmons of The United States and Team Lidl-Trek prior to the 84th Tour de Luxembourg 2024, Stage 5 a 176.9km stage from Mersch to Luxembourg / #UCIWT / on September 22, 2024 in Mersch, Luxembourg. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)