Samwise Cycle Racing Newsletter
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Quinn Simmons Goes Solo to Claim Third US Pro Road National Title
Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) claimed his third elite men’s road race national title at the USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships in Charleston, West Virginia, on Sunday. Simmons went solo on the final lap of the 198.6 km, 10-lap circuit, riding away from a reduced peloton to take victory ahead of the chasing group. The win matched his previous national titles in 2023 and 2025. Simmons was outnumbered in the peloton for much of the race but his individual strength proved decisive as he opened a gap that his rivals could not close over the final kilometres.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly
Kate Courtney Outsprints Field to Win US Women’s Elite Road National Title
Former mountain bike world champion Kate Courtney (She Sends Racing) claimed the elite women’s road race national title at the USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships in Charleston, West Virginia, on Sunday. Courtney outsprinted Lauren Stephens in a select lead group to win the 113.8 km, six-lap circuit. The victory capped a remarkable transition to road racing in 2026 and delivered Courtney her first elite road national title. The course featured 1,126 feet of elevation gain per lap, suiting the climbing abilities of Courtney, who has steadily built form on the road this season.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly
Pogačar Claims He Is Stronger Than Ever After Dominant Tour de Suisse Victory
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) issued a striking Tour de France warning after his dominant Tour de Suisse victory, telling reporters he believes he is stronger than he was a year ago. Pogačar won three of the five stages in Switzerland — the opening solo raid from 72 kilometres out, the stage 4 time trial, and the final mountain stage — to win the overall by 6:32 over Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost). The four-time Tour de France champion heads to the July 4 Grand Départ in Barcelona having completed physiological test results that he said confirmed improvements over his 2025 form.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly
World Champion Reusser Overcomes Injury to Claim Third Tour de Suisse Women Title
World champion Marlen Reusser (Movistar) claimed her third career Tour de Suisse Women title on Sunday, winning the final stage atop Col de la Croix to secure the overall ahead of a dramatic chase group. Reusser returned to competition at the Giro d’Italia Women after being sidelined by a spinal fracture sustained in a crash at the Tour of Flanders. She secured her winning margin at the Tour de Suisse by winning the stage 4 time trial and the mountain finale, with the race running alongside the men’s event in a new combined five-stage format. The victory has given Reusser renewed confidence ahead of the Tour de France Femmes.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cyclingnews
Van Aert Training Load Building Positively as Tour de France Absence Continues
Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) is steadily building his training load following the infected elbow injury that ruled him out of the Tour de France, with the team reporting he has barely fallen behind in his physical condition. Van Aert was forced out of the race after an elbow wound sustained in a training crash became infected, requiring surgery and hospital admission to prevent the infection developing into sepsis. Visma’s performance staff have reported his recovery is tracking positively. Van Aert has returned to the bike and the Vuelta a España remains on his programme for the second half of the season.
Sources: Cyclingnews, Cyclingnews
CPA Women Demands UCI Review SafeR Safety Programme After Zigart Fractures Jaw at Tour de Suisse
The professional riders’ union CPA Women has called for a substantial review of the UCI road safety initiative SafeR following Urska Zigart’s fractured jaw at the Tour de Suisse Women. Zigart was hospitalised after crashing over a bump in the road surface during the final kilometre of stage 2, with Tadej Pogačar’s partner among several riders caught out by the uneven surface at racing speed. She did not start stage 3 and was released from hospital the following day. The CPA Women said serious incidents continue to occur and called for a substantial review of SafeR to be carried out by the UCI.
Sources: Cyclingnews
Tour de France Revamps Green Jersey Points to Protect Sprinters’ Classification
The Tour de France has revised its green jersey points system ahead of the July 4 Grand Départ in Barcelona, with changes designed to protect the sprints classification for specialist sprinters. Expected bunch sprint stages will now award 70 points for the winner, 50 for second, and 40 for third — double what third place earned in 2025. The revisions follow a 2025 edition in which Tadej Pogačar came within 78 points of Jonathan Milan’s green jersey total, with the GC champion breathing down the Italian’s neck during the final week. Race organisers have weighted sprint stage points more heavily to ensure the jersey rewards pure sprinters over all-rounders.
Sources: Cyclingnews
Men’s UCI WorldTour Rankings
Individual Rankings (post-Tour de Suisse)
1. Tadej Pogačar — 10,865 pts | UAE Team Emirates-XRG
2. Jonas Vingegaard — 8,625 pts | Visma-Lease a Bike
3. Isaac del Toro — 5,340 pts | UAE Team Emirates-XRG
Tour de France Preview
Grand Départ: Barcelona, July 4, 2026
Pogačar: 4x TdF champion — Tour de Suisse winner
Vingegaard: 2026 Giro d’Italia champion — returns as rival
Van Aert: ruled out — elbow infection & surgery
21 stages | 3,438 km | Finishes atop Alp d’Huez (S20)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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