Breaking the ice at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2025, Filippo Zana began his third year with Jayco AlUla. 2024 was the year of the "almost", as he came very close to a Top 10 finish at the Giro d'Italia and narrowly missed a stage victory at the Vuelta a España. Success was lacking, but important confirmations about the overall level reached by the Vicenza native emerged. Elements and insights from which to restart for a 25-year-old rider who still has room to grow.

Filippo, it's already time to start again...

"Yes. I worked well this winter, did what needed to be done. At Valencia, the legs weren't turning great, but I kind of expected that, especially because the main goals are further ahead in the season and there's time to improve condition. By nature, I've never been able to start strong, and this year I'd say it's the same."

What kind of year will it be for you?

"I'm starting my sixth year as a professional. Season after season, the experience bag gets wider, but the goal remains the same: to give my maximum and manage to have a great season."

What did 2024 leave you with?

"It was a year of learning. I challenged myself with new goals, tried to focus on the general classification of a Grand Tour, completed two Grand Tours in one year. Whether it goes well or not, I always look at the positive side, and in 2024 I learned a lot. I certainly have no regrets."

Did you enjoy the Giro or the Vuelta more?

"The Giro is always the Giro, I tried this experiment of focusing on the general classification, but at the Vuelta I had more fun. Attacking, trying to make my mark in some stages is probably a way of racing more suited to my characteristics. In 2025, the idea is to experience the Giro d'Italia more in the style of last year's Vuelta."

Did it hurt to miss the Giro Top 10 in the very last days?

"Obviously, I would have liked to finish in the top 10, but in the third week I had a drop in form that forced me to lose time. It turned out I had mononucleosis, already starting in the final stages of the Giro, which I carried with me for a few weeks, never managing to reach the peak of form I wanted. The Vuelta went fairly well, but I arrived at the end of the year really tired, exhausted. A break was necessary, it helped me recharge."

Mononucleosis seems to be going around the peloton quite a bit...

"Yes, indeed it's quite widespread. Obviously, it weakens you and it's not pleasant to live with. But hey, now we've recovered and let's think about this 2025."

Where will we see you in action?

"I'll be at Trofeo Laigueglia, Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo, and then the Ardennes Classics before the Giro d'Italia. Now I'll go to a training camp at Teide before the Italian races. Laigueglia will help me warm up, but from Strade Bianche I want to start getting some answers. Last year I really enjoyed it (finished 9th, ed.) and I'd like to try to be a protagonist again."

And then a Giro in true garibaldina style, as you like it.

"Exactly, that's the idea. Although we'll have Chris Harper and Luke Plapp who could test themselves in the general classification, so we'll need to be ready to support them. We're a great team, we'll go to Albania with many ambitions."