If we had this same conversation with Filippo Conca a year ago, in his head there would have been a clear goal of the Italian championship with the desire to shake things up at all costs. It was a big dream driven by the will to reclaim his place in a cycling world that no longer believed in him. The national championship didn't yet have a real route, and it was even rumored to be perfect for sprinters, but Filippo not only thought about it but believed in it, and so did Carlo Beretta of Swatt Club, both betting and risking. But who would have expected that the revolution would actually happen?

Filippo has lost count of how many times he has told this story, always a bit absurd, but wonderful, and yet even a few days ago he couldn't help but be moved. On the stage of the Lecco provincial committee festival, he was welcomed with triumph by industry professionals, but especially by the many young kids who see him as a hero - after all, it's not every day you can boast of living near the Italian champion. In the history of the national championship, only one other Lecco athlete had managed to dominate, but Conca is the only one to have done so with a local team and perhaps in such a spectacular way. Many rushed to applaud him, including Carlo Beretta, the "big president" of that team which, as he says, "specializes in collecting and relaunching discards"; but above all believes in athletes and gives a second chance.

"I am very proud of myself because I held on even when everyone thought I would give up. Exactly a year ago, I found myself with many nos and few certainties, it wasn't easy, but everything that happened not only spurred me on but taught me to better evaluate people. Many turned their backs on me, only a few proved to be sincere and truly interested in what was happening to me, and it's with them that I want to continue. I believe that this entire adventure is one of the most precious things cycling has given me, it will serve me in the future because in my post-career, in whatever field I operate, I will better understand which people to say yes to and which to say no to," Filippo tells tuttobiciweb. If a year ago there was a possibility of quitting, now the certainty is to move forward and showcase his national jersey. After winning the Italian title, as if by magic, many came knocking at his door, even those teams that during the winter had turned away, not considering him up to par. Of course, life is often funny, it's so quick to change one's mind, but Conca hasn't forgotten what he experienced, he took some time and chose the team that could not only give him security but above all tranquility. Unfortunately, the adventure with Jayco Alula did not start in the best way, and at his second race he caught COVID and from that moment it was a continuous race to try to recover as quickly as possible and help his teammates.

At the beginning of December, the Australian team had already held a training camp to introduce new athletes and staff members, a way to get to know each other better and start planning 2026. For Filippo, who arrived in the team in the last part of the season, it was the first real opportunity to see the complete team. "In the team, I immediately felt very comfortable, too bad that COVID blocked me a bit. Among the Italians, I immediately became friends with Davide de Pretto, he's a very young guy but has great potential. In the first training camp, I had the opportunity to get to know Andrea Vendrame better, who is one of the new Italian signings. With Alessandro Covi it's a different story, we've known each other since we were 6 years old, even our families know each other, and I'm really happy to race on the same team with him after so much time," Filippo continues, talking about his Italian teammates. Alessandro de Marchi, who has become his reference sports director, will play a crucial role in the team and will certainly be able to advise him best in his return to high levels. "For me, De Marchi has always been an example, I liked his long-distance attacks and how he managed to score. In the last races we did together, I immediately took the opportunity to ask him for advice, and I'm happy to have him as my reference sports director. He was a great team player, and it was natural that he would remain in the cycling world. I believe he has a lot to teach."

Filippo Conca's program includes his debut in Spain with the Comunidad Valenciana classic, then the Mallorca races and UAE Tour. In Italy, he will race GP Laigueglia, Strade Bianche, and Tirreno-Adriatico. After the two-seas classic, the Australian team will make its selection for the Giro to support Ben O'Connor, and Conca hopes to be part of it because, let's be honest, winning the Giro with the Italian champion's jersey would be a sensational coup. The last to succeed was his dear friend Giacomo Nizzolo in 2021, so why not follow in his footsteps?