Trek Segafredo suspended American rider Quinn Simmons for publishing comments on social media that the team deemed divisive, inflammatory, and harmful and that spurred divisive conversations about U.S. President Donald Trump and the upcoming presidential election ...

"Trek Segafredo is an organization that values inclusivity and supports a more diverse and equitable sport for all athletes. We support free speech, but we take responsibility for our words and actions," said a Trek Segafredo statement. [Regrettably, team rider Quinn Simmons has made statements online that we feel are divisive, inflammatory, and harmful to the team, pro cycling, its fans, and the positive future we hope to help create for the sport.

"In response, he will miss the Trek Segafredo race until further notice.

"The team and its partners will work together to determine how to move forward and will keep fans and the public informed of any decisions made in this matter.

On Wednesday, Simmons responded to a post from cycling journalist and commentator José Bean regarding the upcoming U.S. elections, saying on Twitter: "Dear American friends, I hope the term of this horrible president is over. And for us, our (former) allies. If you want to follow me and support Trump, you can go now. There is zero excuse to follow or vote for that vile, horrible, man," to which Simmons replied, "Bye bye," with an emoji of a black skin-colored hand waving.

When Simmons was called a "tramper" in his reply, he replied: with an emoji of an American flag, "Exactly."

Backlash continued on Twitter, with some calling Simmons' use of the dark-skinned hand emoji a form of racism and saying they would no longer buy bikes from Trek Vikes, the title sponsor of his trade team. Others said that Simmons should be removed from Trek-Segafredo.

Trek-Segafredo immediately issued a statement in response to Simmons' Twitter post, saying that the team would not tolerate comments or actions by riders that would foster divisive conversations.

"In response to the above, Trek Segafredo will not tolerate comments or actions by riders that foster divisive conversations. The team will work with Quinn and help him understand the appropriate tone of conversation an athlete in his position should maintain," Trek Segafredo posted on Twitter.

"We are committed to making the sport of cycling a truly diverse and equitable space for all riders. We will be releasing an official statement shortly."

The statement was followed by a statement from the Cycling Commission, which said.

Trek faced backlash earlier this year when a Trek-sponsored police bicycle was used as a weapon against people participating in "Black Lives Matter" protests across the U.S. In May, George Floyd, who was arrested in Minneapolis, Minn. After he was killed by police, "Black Lives Matter" protests erupted and protests were held around the world.

U.S. police officers used bicycles against those protesting police brutality, institutional racism, and justice for Floyd's death. Images and videos of officers holding up bicycle brands such as Trek and Fuji and using them as weapons and shields circulated through social media channels.

Trek Bikes President John Burke expressed concern at the time about police brutality and racism in the United States and called for justice in a blog on the Trek website. Trek Bikes then issued a statement "promising a better future," outlining several initiatives and funding to increase cycling industry jobs for people of color, open stores in underserved areas, and create a more inclusive corporate culture.

However, Trek Bikes continued to face criticism for its response to police brutality during the Black Lives Matter protests. According to a report in Forbes magazine, Trek Bikes was asked to withdraw from police-related businesses. The company said the use of bicycles as weapons by U.S. police during the protests was "abhorrent," but did not stop selling bikes to police departments.

Systemic racism is an issue in cycling's highest echelons; the UCI reiterates its commitment to diversity through its own World Cycling Center program and points to several strategies it has taken in recent years to address racism.

However, when it comes to racism, the sport's governing body has been criticized for not stepping in to sanction or punish those who violate its own code of ethics. Black athletes, including French track sprinter and Olympic medalist Grégory Baugé, Natnael Berhane, Teniel Campbell, and Kévin Reza, spoke at this year's Tour de France about racism within the peloton and the lack of solidarity in professional cycling. spoke about the lack of solidarity in the peloton.

On the final stage of this year's Tour de France, athletes gathered to show support and solidarity for Reza, the only black athlete in the three-week race and a B&B Hotels - Vital Concepts athlete. Reza, a native of Yvelines, started the 21st stage from Mantes-la-Jolie to Paris at the front of the race in support of the Movement for the Elimination of Black Discrimination. During the pre-stage ceremony, riders from the peloton wore masks that read "Against racism" and denounced racial discrimination.