Although Durango’s Colby Simmons is only 20 years old and is riding for one of the best development teams in cycling, Team Visma/Lease a Bike Development, he isn’t satisfied with how his 2024 cycling season has gone.
“I would say the year's been okay, nothing too special to write home about if I'm honest,” Simmons said. “I wish it would have gone better so far, but it definitely could have been worse. I’ve consistently been up there but no big results at the end of the day. I guess looking at it could be worse, for sure.”
Simmons had a quality showing at the Olympia’s Tour in the Netherlands in late March where he finished sixth in the youth classification, ninth in the points classification and 16th in the general classification.
The Durangoan was also happy with how he did at the National Championships in the middle of May in Charleston, South Carolina. Simmons finished fourth in the time trial and third in the U-23 road race. He also got seventh in the elite race.
“After that, I went back to Europe, and I raced with the World Tour team for two stage races,” Simmons said. “That was also pretty good, not results-wise, because when you race up with them, you're in a working role. I think the team was happy with what I did for the team. So that was also good.”
Simmons said the lack of stellar results so far has come from missing possibly the last 5% of performance. He wasn’t able to put the pieces together despite training well and getting the proper nutrition.
Now back in Durango, Simmons said being back in altitude for a little while could benefit him before returning to Europe.
This is the third year Simmons has been with the Jumbo-Visma Development Team. No matter how a race goes, Simmons always has the support of the team. He said they’re always trying to help him be better and he’s able to use all the resources Jumbo-Visma has to offer.
Next up is the Tour Alsace, a five-day stage race in France, for Simmons. He’ll stay in France after that and will race the Tour de l'Avenir with the U.S. National Team. After that, his biggest goal is the World Championships in Switzerland.
Simmons’ older brother Quinn has been injured and is rehabbing to try and race in Europe later in the season, according to Simmons.
When the Simmons brothers can train together, Colby enjoys doing endurance rides with his older brother. He enjoys the friendly competition out on the road between the two of them.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
