AFPTrek suspends American rider over 'divisive' tweet
Team Trek on Thursday suspended 19-year-old American cycling hopeful Quinn Simmons from racing "until further notice" after he posted pro-Donald Trump tweets which the team described as "divisive, incendiary and damaging".
The Associated PressAmerican cyclist suspended by team after pro-Trump comments
American cyclist Quinn Simmons was suspended by the Trek-Segafredo team on Thursday after posting antagonistic comments on social media in support of President Donald Trump. The 2019 junior road race world champion replied to a journalist from the Netherlands who had criticized Trump on Twitter. ''Regrettably, team rider Quinn Simmons made statements online that we feel are divisive, incendiary, and detrimental to the team, professional cycling, its fans, and the positive future we hope to help create for the sport,'' Trek-Segafredo said in a statement.
The TelegraphTrek-Segafredo suspend Quinn Simmons for 'divisive' and 'incendiary' comments on social media
Trek-Segafredo have suspended the 2019 junior world champion Quinn Simmons for posting what they deemed to be “divisive” and “incendiary” comments on social media. Simmons, who won the junior world road race in Yorkshire last year, responded to a Dutch journalist who had criticised President Donald Trump, saying that any of her followers who supported him were welcome to unfollow her, by writing "Bye" with an emoji of a black hand waving. When a separate account replied "Apparently a Trumper," Simmons countered "That's right" with a United States flag symbol. The 19-year-old also replied to another cycling journalist who said he “refused to cheer for anyone who supports a racist, hateful fascist like @QuinnSimmons9 does” with the comment “What a loss”. It is unclear to which tweets Trek-Segafredo were referring when they announced overnight on Wednesday that they were suspending Simmons indefinitely. "Regrettably, team rider Quinn Simmons made statements online that we feel are divisive, incendiary, and detrimental to the team, professional cycling, its fans, and the positive future we hope to help create for the sport," Trek-Segafredo said in a statement. "[He] will not be racing for Trek-Segafredo until further notice."
