“Either I stopped, or I went to Swatt Club” — Italian national champion on the decision that changed his career trajectory

For Filippo Conca, the 2025 season was one he will never forget. His victory in the Italian National Championships, achieved with the amateur Swatt Club, surprised many and opened the door back to the WorldTour, where he is now riding for Team Jayco AlUla.

The 27-year-old already made it to the World Tour back in 2021, when he secured a contract with Lotto Soudal. After two years, he went a step down to the ProTeam category, signing for Q36.5. His contract was not renewed for the 2025 season, so he was forced to temporarily abandon the professional category, signing for the modest Swatt Club.

“It was a very particular year, with many lows and few highs,” Conca said in an interview to bici.pro. “Nothing went as smoothly as it might seem because I had many injury setbacks, the first already in February with my knee. Then, a month before the Nationals, I crashed during training camp in Livigno because I hit a marmot on a descent. I lost a week of training, and the path wasn’t easy, but in Gorizia, I managed to fix everything that needed fixing.”

He indeed did, showing up to the Italian national championships in June and taking an unexpected win, beating top riders such as Jonathan Milan, Alessandro Covi or Matteo Trentin and securing a contract with Team Jayco AlUla.

His return to the professional peloton, however, did not begin ideally. “I was hoping for a quieter end to the season, but unfortunately after my first two races with the new team, I caught Covid at Plouay,” Conca recalled. “The season was nearly over, and we had to decide whether to rest or try again. We decided to push ahead, and I went to the Tour of Slovakia. It was very hard, but I was happy to be useful to the team, pulling every day. In the end, we won the general classification with Paul Double. I think I showed that I can do that kind of work.”

The illness forced him to skip Il Lombardia, a tough but necessary choice. “It was hard, but it was for the best. After Covid, I still wasn’t at my best, especially with my breathing. I would have loved to start my home race wearing the tricolor jersey, but objectively, I wasn’t competitive.”

Now more mature than during his previous WorldTour experiences with Lotto and Q36.5, Conca sees his new chapter with Jayco–AlUla as both a fresh start and a lesson in patience. “Without a doubt, I’m more mature. At the same time, I’m aware that I’m a good rider, but a normal one. If I’m healthy, I can give a lot to the team and work for a leader. What I’ve already seen here at Jayco–AlUla is that the work of a domestique is valued, which motivates me for the future. There will be many races where I’ll have to pull at the front, but the good thing is that I’ll also have my own space.”

The turning point in Conca’s career came after being left without a professional contract after the 2024 season. “I had two choices: either stop or go to the Swatt Club. I offered myself to many Continental teams, but no one was interested in taking me. Since the roster was already full, I focused on gravel and raced in the most important events. It was an environment I really enjoyed, but my dream was to return to road racing, do the Giro d’Italia, and maybe win a stage. That was the thought that kept me going, I couldn’t give up at 26.”

Despite setbacks, Conca was always certain of his potential. “I knew I wasn’t a phenomenon, but I also knew I still had room to improve. I was sure I could perform better than at least half the peloton. It wasn’t easy to turn the situation around, but already in November 2024, I was thinking about the Italian Championships as my one chance to show myself and return to the professionals.”

Family support was crucial during that period. “My family and the few friends I have were a great help in those months of preparation. I’m grateful I went through that situation because it made me realize who the people are that deserve my time, and who don’t.”

Winning the national title was something he had always dreamed of. “I always believed in it, since the winter. Two years ago, I finished eighth, spending the last 20–25 kilometers between the lead group and the chasers, riders like Ciccone and Ganna. I realized I had good legs even in that context. This year, I was also a bit lucky: several riders weren’t there because they had just had Covid or were tired from the Giro. As I noticed these things, I became more and more confident in my chances.”

After his national victory, several teams showed interest, but Conca chose Jayco–AlUla for its atmosphere. “After winning the Italian title, my agent received a few offers, but Jayco was my first choice because I knew people in the staff and among the riders. Everyone spoke well of the team and its calm environment, which was exactly what I was looking for. The last two years on the road were difficult, so I needed a context like this — professional but comfortable, where you can perform at 100 percent.”

Looking back, Conca avoids framing his past in terms of failure. “I wouldn’t talk about mistakes, but about missed opportunities, because I had few chances to race for myself. It’s part of being a domestique. When your leaders win, your work is appreciated; if the team doesn’t get results, maybe you’re overlooked. Helping Double win in Slovakia was a good signal about what I can still offer.”

For the new season, Conca’s goals are clear, with the Giro d'Italia as the biggest objective in his calendar. “I need to rest and recover well from my small injuries before the new season. The winter will be crucial. Maybe, besides training camps, I’ll go somewhere warm to train more consistently."

"We’ve already started planning with the team, and I hope to contribute immediately, both as a domestique and when there’s room to race for myself — maybe already in the early Spanish races. Usually, I suffer a bit from allergies in March and April, but the goal is to reach May in top form. The Giro d’Italia is the target I’ll work hard for,” he concluded.