<\/p>\n
He added: “I think it’s super important that it’s worn at the biggest races, and we need a top rider in it. So, it will be the third year I get to wear the jersey at the biggest bike race in the world, and you know, for me, that’s super special. As an American, I love to race in that jersey in Europe and show it. Now we take it to the Tour.”<\/p>\n
Simmons dreams of Tour de France glory<\/p>\n
Simmons gained a huge amount of supporters in 2025 for his breakaway exploits both at the Tour and high-profile races such as Il Lombardia, coming just short of victory in spectacular fashion. Represented in four breakaway stages, he was top ten in two of those days.<\/p>\n
“My biggest dream of the whole season is to win a stage [of the Tour de France] wearing this jersey. In order to do that, you have to first get the jersey. So step one complete.”<\/p>\n
Lidl-Trek is set to undergo major changes in the coming months, with long-time team boss Luca Guercelina to step back after the Tour de France. In his seventh year with the team under Guercelina, Simmons noted a message from him as a big motivation for chasing an elusive first Tour de France victory.<\/p>\n
Noting his US victory, Simmons eluded to his Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes triumph as the second time he’s come good for Guercelina – although he hopes he can soon be third time lucky.<\/p>\n
Luca Guercelina message<\/p>\n
He said: “I remember I got a message from my manager, Luca, that he wanted me to win some races for him before he left the team. He’s leaving in six weeks, and so far I’ve done two since he sent me that message. It’s kind of nice to pay the team back after years of supporting me.”<\/p>\n