Quinn Simmons' dad says Tour high five was unplanned
The viral Tour de France high five involving Quinn Simmons and his father was totally unplanned. On stage 12, U.S. national champion Simmons stuck out his hand mid-attack about 35 kilometers from the finish in Chalon-sur-Saône, while dad Scott—fresh off a flight and a casual bike ride—reached back at the last second.
Parents Scott and Holly told Velo the moment was spontaneous. They had said they would wait at the finish, not on the race route—so the flag-waving roadside slap was a surprise for everyone involved.
Key Takeaways
- Quinn Simmons high-fived father Scott during a Stage 12 attack roughly 35 km from Chalon-sur-Saône.
- Scott and Holly flew in that day; Scott rode out to shake off jet lag and guessed where an attack might come.
- Both nearly missed the slap—Scott hesitated, then stuck his hand out at the last moment.
- The clip became one of the Tour's feel-good viral moments, amplifying Simmons' fan-favorite profile.
- The Lidl-Trek star has also been animating flat stages and helping Mads Pedersen's points campaign.
What exactly happened on Stage 12?
Stage 12 looked set for a dull procession until Quinn Simmons punched clear with about 35 kilometers left. The American champion splintered the bunch, dragging a dozen strong riders with him and turning the finale into a thriller.
As he charged past a short hill, Scott was already roadside with an American flag. "Sure enough, I'm standing there and see him coming up," Scott told Velo. "Attacking, hauling everyone. I was like 'whoa!'"
Then Simmons offered the five. "I was kind of like, 'I don't know if this is the place for that!'" Scott said. "I stuck my hand out at the last minute and we pulled it off."
Why was Quinn Simmons' dad even on the course?
Scott and Holly had only just arrived from the United States. After assembling their bikes, Scott wanted a short ride to loosen his legs after the long flight. He picked the climb thinking that if his son attacked, it would be around there.
They had told Quinn they would be at the finish—not lining the route—so the roadside reunion was unscripted on both sides. By the next morning in Dole, Scott was already being pulled into media interviews before Stage 13.
Road racing is a family business now: younger brother Colby races for EF Education-EasyPost, and the Durango, Colorado, parents often follow the Tour with a van, sleeping by the roadside. "The Tour life is kind of like following the Grateful Dead back in the day," Scott joked.
Why does this moment matter for Quinn Simmons?
Beyond the meme value, the high five fits how Quinn Simmons races: big engine, elbows out, and little patience for strategic passivity. Defector noted few riders can cleave a charging peloton on a flat day—and still nail a full-speed high five with a flag-waving father while doing it.
The 25-year-old, national champion in three of the last four seasons, races in the stars-and-stripes kit and has helped set up Mads Pedersen while still launching his own moves. Second on Stage 4 into Foix matched his best Tour stage result this race, behind teammate Pedersen.
For more standout viral moments and culture-crossing sports stories, browse our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage. The unplanned slap captured toughness, adventure, and showmanship that Scott says the family values more than grooming pure bike racers.