​Quinn Simmons of the United States greeted spectators as he rode up during the thirteenth stage of the Tour de France, an individual time-trial covering 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles) through the Pyrenees, starting in Loudenvielle and finishing in Peyragudes on Friday, July 18, 2025. The event was captured by Thibault Camus.
As the United States celebrated the Fourth of July on Saturday, six Americans were set to begin pedaling in the world’s most prestigious cycling race. The 113th Tour de France opened with the first three stages in Spain, starting with a team time trial in Barcelona that passed landmarks such as the Sagrada Família. The 2026 edition marks the third time the race has started in Spain, but the first time it has hosted three stages there; the riders would cross into France on Monday. The race would cover 2,063 miles over 21 stages, culminating with the traditional finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on July 26. Reigning world champion and four-time Tour winner Tadej Pogačar and two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard were among the favorites, with NBC and Peacock broadcasting the event. Phil Liggett, widely known as the “Voice of Cycling,” would cover his 54th Tour de France.
Six Americans were among the 184 riders across 23 teams in the field, with five having previously competed in the Tour and one making his debut. Sepp Kuss, riding for Visma Lease a Bike, would be lining up for his sixth Tour de France, recently returning from an emotional stage win in the Dolomites at the Giro d’Italia in May. That victory complemented his record of wins across the three Grand Tours, and at 31, the Durango native was expected to continue providing support for team leader Jonas Vingegaard on the mountain climbs, while also remaining a potential threat for a stage win if given the chance to break away. A photo noted Kuss racing down the Aspin Pass during the fourteenth stage of the Tour de France in 2025, illustrating his climbing prowess.
Matteo Jorgenson, also with Visma Lease a Bike, trained for the Tour by skipping the Tour de Suisse to focus on his fifth appearance in the race. Like Kuss, his primary role was to support Vingegaard and help the team achieve its goals, though Jorgenson’s own ambitions and potential for leadership moments remained a key part of the squad’s strategy. Jorgenson’s hometown pride—having grown up in Boise, Idaho—added a personal touch to the American contingent as they prepared to compete across France and beyond.