Stage 3 Victory in Tour de Suisse Secured by Quinn Simmons Through Long-Range Assault
Against All Odds: Quinn Simmons' Emotional Tour de Suisse Victory
Quinn Simmons, the Lidl-Trek cyclist, snatched Stage 3 of the 2025 Tour de Suisse with a gutsy solo escape, clinching a well-earned win 18 seconds ahead of his rivals[2][4][5]. This triumph was more than just a cycling victory; it was a somber tribute to the late Gino Mäder.
Riding in the iconic stars and stripes jersey, Simmons took the Swiss Hills near Lake Constance by storm, outsmarting his opponents with a decisive 20km push[1]. The peloton seemed dazed and confused, struggling to keep up the chase, offering Simmons the perfect opportunity to revel in his win.
As he crossed the finish line in Heiden, Simmons celebrated $-$flapping his arms like an eagle$-$ and pointed skyward, a touching gesture in honor of Mäder[4][5]. The emotional baggage of the race was palpable; Gino Mäder's mother was present at the start, making Simmons' victory all the more remarkable.
Two years earlier, Simmons was riding close behind Mäder during the same race, tragically witnessing his fatal crash[4][5]. Winning this stage was not just a sports milestone for Simmons but a deeply personal tribute. The American champion expressed his initial desire to dedicate a win to Mäder on the two-year anniversary of his passing, but he ultimately did so a day late[4][5].
The pain of remembering Mäder on the race circuit was immense, yet it served as a driving force for Simmons. "The motivation was through the roof today. I really wanted to win yesterday, on the two-year anniversary of when we lost Gino. I really wanted to win and dedicate it to him. I did it a day late," Simmons revealed[4][5].
Though the 195km stage from Aarau to Heiden was another undulating ride through the Swiss landscape, it provided the perfect opportunity for ambitious riders to make their mark[3]. A six-rider breakaway, featuring Simmons, formed early on, putting some distance between themselves and the peloton. However, teams like Groupama-FDJ, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and Decathlon AG2R worked tirelessly to keep the gap in check.
One by one, Simmons' breakaway companions were dropped, and only the American and Brent Van Moer remained. With determination and grit, Simmons forged ahead, creating a 30-second gap that he fiercely defended against the surge of the peloton[3].
The stage was fraught with obstacles, including crashes involving Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) and Fabio Christen (Q36.5)[3]. But none of these setbacks deterred Simmons from his mission. As he claimed his hard-fought victory, he not only celebrated his personal triumph but honored the memory of his fallen comrade, Gino Mäder.
Sports played a significant role in Quinn Simmons' emotional Tour de Suisse victory as he dedicated his win on Stage 3 to the late Gino Mäder, a fellow cyclist who tragically passed away during the same race two years earlier.
Simmons' sports victory was not just a personal triumph but a deeply felt tribute to Mäder, serving as a driving force for the American champion throughout the race.
