As the 2025 Tour de France concluded with celebrations on the Champs-Élysées, the spotlight briefly shifted from yellow jerseys and stage wins to the efforts of the five American cyclists who etched their own stories into the world’s most grueling cycling race. While none of the Americans contended for the overall podium, their performances stood out in various roles — from relentless domestique duties to high-profile breakaways, and even a memorable proposal in Paris.
Quinn Simmons: A personal victory beyond the bike
Durango’s Quinn Simmons, already nicknamed “Captain America” for his stars-and-stripes national champion jersey, may not have won a stage, but he stole the show with a life-changing gesture. After riding 2,075 miles over three weeks, Simmons proposed to his girlfriend Sidney Berry on the iconic Champs-Élysées — a perfect finale to his Tour.
“I knew I had an extra reason to get to Paris this year,” he told NBC Sports, confirming he had planned the moment since his December selection to Lidl-Trek’s Tour roster.
On the road, Quinn Simmons was a powerhouse in breakaways and instrumental in setting up teammate Jonathan Milan for two sprint wins. He finished 59th overall, a strong showing for a rider devoted to team goals.
Sepp Kuss: America's best-finishing rider
Sepp Kuss, another Durango native, led the American charge with a 17th-place finish overall. Riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, he once again played the loyal domestique to Jonas Vingegaard, helping the Danish star reach the podium. Though Kuss struggled in early stages, he maintained consistency across the Alps and Pyrenees, reinforcing his status as one of the best support riders in the peloton.
Matteo Jorgensen: Braving Illness, still delivering
Riding alongside Sepp Kuss on Visma-Lease a Bike was Matteo Jorgensen, who finished 19th overall. He showed early promise with top-five placements in several stages but was slowed down mid-race by bronchitis.
“In the race, you have minutes where your airways are closed and you think ‘I can’t push at all,’” Jorgensen told Velo.
Still, he pushed through to finish strong, even claiming fifth place on the final stage in Paris — a testament to his grit.
Neilson Powless: Veteran grit in year six
Neilson Powless of EF Education-EasyPost completed his sixth Tour de France, finishing 47th overall. Though he fell short of his goal to win a stage, he played a key support role for teammate Ben Healy, who briefly held the yellow jersey and claimed a stage win. Neilson Powless’ consistent performances highlighted his reliability and depth in a team-first role.
Will Barta: Rookie completes the tour
Will Barta, making his Tour de France debut with the Spanish Movistar Team, finished 102nd among 160 riders. The Boise, Idaho native avoided the illnesses and crashes that sidelined 24 riders and completed all 21 stages — a commendable feat for a first-timer.
A quiet yet impactful campaign
While Team USA’s 2025 Tour de France campaign lacked podium finishes or stage wins, it was far from disappointing. Each rider fulfilled critical roles for their respective teams, from launching sprints to pacing through mountain stages. Their resilience, teamwork, and determination underscored the depth of American cycling talent on the world stage.