The 22-year-old Filippo Conca has completed his first year as a professional cyclist with Lotto Soudal. Conca had an impressive debut, winning the KOM jersey at the Tour de la Provence. Throughout the season, he gained experience by participating in WorldTour races such as Strade Bianche and the Tour of the Basque Country. In a recent interview, Conca discussed his first months racing at the pro level and his future goals.
When asked about his first year as a pro, Conca said, “My first race with Lotto Soudal was a big success. I immediately won the mountain jersey at the Tour de la Provence. However, the step from the U23 category to the WorldTour was a significant challenge. The speed and level of organization are much higher in WorldTour races.”
Conca reflected on his best moment of the season, stating, “Riding Strade Bianche was my favorite moment so far. It was my first WorldTour race as a pro, and the atmosphere was incredible. Unfortunately, my least fun moment was at the Tour de Suisse, where I had a bad crash and suffered an arm injury.”
As part of Lotto Soudal, Conca has the opportunity to learn from experienced riders. He said, “It is great to have champions like Philippe Gilbert, John Degenkolb, Tim Wellens, and Thomas De Gendt on the team. I have already learned a lot from them in terms of race insight, tactics, and positioning.”
In addition to his cycling career, Conca is also studying economics and management. He balances his studies and cycling by taking advantage of the flexibility afforded to athletes. Conca explained, “Combining cycling and studying is quite doable for me. I can spread my studies over the whole year, and I have multiple exam periods.”
Looking ahead to the future, Conca has set his sights on winning a race next year. He acknowledged that for now, he will continue to play a supporting role for his team, but he hopes to have more freedom to attack and achieve solid performances next season. Conca also dreams of riding the Giro d’Italia, as he believes there are more opportunities for breakaway riders in that race.
With the Italian autumn races approaching, including Giro dell’ Emilia, GP Piemonte, and Il Lombardia, Conca is focused on helping his teammates and performing well on home roads. He expressed his excitement for the upcoming races and his determination to contribute to the team’s success.
Images: Photo News.
