At Christmas, everyone has their special traditions, and for the Italian champion Filippo Conca, neither the bike nor family can be missing. "At Christmas, I always train, it's a special tradition. In the morning, I go out on my bike and pedal for three hours around the lake, which is beautiful because there's no one around, no traffic, and it's the perfect opportunity to fully enjoy the place where I live. Then I return home and, after changing, I'm already at the table, maybe skipping the first part of lunch, eating lighter, but I absolutely cannot give up celebrating together with everyone," Conca says, who will spend the holidays on the Lecco side of Lake Como with his entire family.

What the Italian champion experienced in 2025 would be perfect for a small magical Christmas story, a gift 6 months in advance that he earned through many sacrifices. Unlike a year ago when there were few certainties, he can finally enjoy the holidays in a more serene way, celebrating a truly special season. There are no precise plans for New Year's Eve yet, although the bike will rest on January 1st, and he has already expressed his great desire for 2026. Filippo Conca hopes to be competitive and help his team, but his brightest dream is very specific: a stage victory at the Giro wearing the Italian national jersey.