# Filippo Conca Reflects on His Inspiring Debut Season with Lotto Soudal
Filippo Conca, the 22-year-old Italian cyclist, has had a remarkable start to his professional career after joining Lotto Soudal earlier this year. His debut at the Tour de la Provence saw him clinch the KOM jersey, setting a high bar for his first year in the sport. With experiences in prestigious WorldTour races like Strade Bianche, the Tour of the Basque Country, and the Bretagne Classic, Conca has quickly gained insights into the demanding world of professional cycling.
## Managing Expectations
When asked about his first year, he remarked, “My first race with Lotto Soudal was a big success. I immediately won the mountain jersey at the Tour de la Provence. I didn’t expect it, but I felt really good and I was able to join the early breakaway.” However, the transition from U23 to WorldTour level hasn’t been without its challenges. He observed the stark differences, saying, “The big difference between the two categories is first of all, the speed… in U23 races, there is often more chaos and sometimes, there are less tactics involved. At WorldTour level, racing is kind of more organised.”
## Highlights and Challenges
Conca highlighted poignant moments from his season, noting that “my best moment so far this season was riding Strade Bianche, without a doubt.” This race not only marked his first WorldTour experience but also served as a highlight in his career thus far. Conversely, he experienced setbacks, particularly during the Tour de Suisse, where a crash left him with an arm injury that hampered his performance.
## Learning from the Legends
Being part of Lotto Soudal allows Conca to learn alongside seasoned cyclists like Philippe Gilbert and John Degenkolb. He expressed his appreciation, stating, “It is great that the many young guns in the team can learn from champions… I have already learned a lot in terms of race insight, tactical decisions, and positioning.”
## Balancing Cycling and Studies
In addition to his cycling career, Conca is also pursuing a degree in economics and management. He shared, “Combining cycling and studying is quite doable for me. Fortunately, being an athlete, I get some privileges.” This flexibility allows him to manage his academics while competing at a high level.
## Future Aspirations
As he gears up for the autumn races in Italy, Conca expresses excitement about competing in familiar terrain, stating, “I’m looking forward to helping my teammates as much as I can.” His goals extend to winning races next season, where he hopes for opportunities to break away and make his mark: “I dream of riding the Giro d’Italia because proportionally, there are more opportunities for breakaway riders.”
With a promising future ahead and a desire to grow both as a cyclist and a student, Filippo Conca is certainly one to watch in the years to come.
