Greg LeMond remains the last American to win the Tour de France, standing atop the final podium in Paris back in 1989. Since then, no rider from the United States has repeated that feat – and with Lance Armstrong’s results removed from the record books, that gap now looms larger. But in 2025, five Americans are back on the start line in Lille, each with a different path, but all with the ambition to make their mark on the world’s biggest bike race.
It’s a small group, but a powerful one. From team captains to mountain domestiques, from breakaway specialists to rising stars, each carries a piece of the hope that one day, LeMond won’t be the last.
Here’s a closer look at the U.S. contingent for the 2025 Tour de France – their roles, form, and what to watch for over the next three weeks.
Matteo Jorgenson (Visma – Lease a Bike)
Age: 26 | 4th Tour de France appearance
If there’s an American who could realistically aim for a podium in Paris one day, it’s Jorgenson. He was 8th overall in 2024, but that result only scratches the surface. This season has included a dominant overall win at Paris-Nice, a stage win at Dwars door Vlaanderen, and second overall at the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Jorgenson is no longer the wildcard – he’s one of Visma’s most important cards. If Vingegaard falters, he’s the natural GC backup. And if the Dane is flying, Jorgenson becomes the mountain lieutenant, leading the yellow train deep into the climbs. It’s unlikely he’ll get freedom, but if it comes, the Idahoan has the legs and race sense to go for stages or even repeat LeMond’s legacy in future years.
Photo Credit: GettySepp Kuss (Visma – Lease a Bike)
Age: 29 | 5th Tour de France appearance
After missing last year’s Tour due to Covid, Sepp Kuss returns to the race where he built his reputation as cycling’s most loyal mountain domestique. In 2023, he became the first American in a decade to win a Grand Tour, taking the Vuelta after riding all three Grand Tours in the same season.
Now, the “Eagle of Durango” is back alongside Jorgenson in service of Vingegaard. He’s the only American in this year’s race to have won a Tour stage, dropping the field solo on the Col de Beixalis in 2021. Whether he gets that freedom again is uncertain, but if the moment comes, Kuss knows how to seize it. He remains a vital piece of Visma’s yellow jersey puzzle.
Photo Credit: GettyNeilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost)
Age: 28 | 6th Tour de France appearance
Powless will be hoping for a smoother campaign in 2025 after a disrupted run with injury last year. He returns to the race where, in 2023, he wore the polka dot jersey for 12 days and animated countless mountain stages.
He’s a breakaway specialist with a knack for timing – his stage win at Donostia in 2022 and top-10 at the Tour of Flanders show how versatile he can be. EF Education-EasyPost is leaning heavily into stage-hunting at this Tour, and if Powless finds form, he’ll be front and centre on days with punchy climbs and open roads. A stage win is within reach.
Will Barta (Movistar)
Age: 29 | Tour de France debut
A first Tour for Will Barta, but not his first time showing the depth required. His pro win at Valenciana this year – via an 80km solo move – was the kind of performance that turns heads, and Movistar have rewarded him with a Tour spot. His main task: ride for Enric Mas in the mountains.
Barta is a quiet presence in the peloton, but his strength is steady and reliable. He’s completed multiple Grand Tours and has built a reputation as a trusted engine. While his role is support-first, a long break on a transitional stage could open the door for him to have a go.
Photo Credit: GettyQuinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek)
Age: 23 | 3rd Tour de France appearance
Fresh off winning the US national championships and a stage at the Tour de Suisse, Simmons comes into the Tour with confidence and a visible sense of purpose. He’s aggressive, animated, and wears the Stars and Stripes jersey with intent.
Expect to see him on the front early in sprint stages, laying down power for Lidl-Trek’s sprinters. But in the mountains, when the shackles come off, he’s more than capable of pushing into the breaks. With his fitness and form building, a stage win isn’t out of the question if he hits the right move. He’ll also be chasing combativity awards – a jersey his style of racing seems tailor-made for.
Small numbers, big goals
Five riders might not seem like many, but the impact could be significant. Kuss and Jorgenson form one of the strongest American duos in Tour history, both vital to Visma’s ambitions. Powless is a proven force in the hills. Simmons is surging into maturity. And Barta, the quiet addition, is ready to turn his debut into a statement.
It may be a long road to matching LeMond’s triumph in 1989, but for this generation, the Tour offers a platform to push forward again. The goal? Ride hard, race smart, and remind the world that American riders still belong on the biggest stage.
