BRA – The UCI has made it official that from next season professional riders, therefore those who already ride in professional and WorldTour teams, will not be able to participate in the Nations Cup trials reserved for during 23Already at the end of 2024, after the World Championships in Zurich, the International Cycling Union had decided to exclude U23 athletes registered as professionals from the European and World Championships.
The news reported at the beginning of the article, arrived during the Giro Next Gen, brings with it some important news in terms of management of young riders who move up to the WorldTour or professional teams.
Postponed
This new UCI rule was also discussed in relation to the growth plans of Paul Seixas, who is surprising everyone in his first year as a professional with the Decathlon AG2R La MondialeThe Frenchman could have his sights set on the next one Future Tower, since it will not be able to run it from 2026, but the French federation must understand how to manage the programsThe same goes for our national team, in fact, one of this year's most interesting prospects is Filippo Turconi. The rider of Vf Group-Bardiani was the better than the Italians al Giro Next GenHowever, this will be the last year for him where he can count on the support of the Under-23 national team as he grows.
«I think that the UCI – says Marino Amadori, coach of the Italian U23 national team – is putting this category in orderAs for the professionals, we have only brought into the orbit of the under 23 national team Philip Turconi (The two are together in the opening photo.) It would be a second year, I've seen him grow a lot in 2024 and we had a project with him that I'd like to finish with the Tour de l'Avenir. I know he won't be able to play for us at the European Championships or the World Cup, but that's a discussion that only concerns him.. In fact the other guys I have worked with and will work with will all be taken by I have to team up or continental and club formations".
Had the rules regarding the World Cup and European Championships already changed the plans?
Definitely yes, the fact that next year the rule will also be extended to the Nations Cup events is a factor I had to take into consideration. I feel sorry for those guys who will be left out, but I have to work with riders to whom I can propose a growth path structured.
Would Turconi close the circle a little in this sense?
We started a journey with him last year, his first as an under-23 and as a professional, and I want him to finish it. At the beginning of 2025 we told ourselves to take steps towards the goal of AvenirWe started from the Poland precisely with the intention of testing the boy, the feedback was more than positive so we will move forward. Unfortunately, for the others it will not be possible, also because the work must be done with a European and global perspective., without forgetting that the Avenir is also a testing ground for athletes of the I have to team up and continental ones.
How will we work from a global and European perspective?
Considering that they will be after the Avenir, I will definitely have to bring some guys who can be protagonists in those tests. It will be an obligatory but fundamental step, without forgetting that for the moment I will only have four riders with me at the World Championships.
The new UCI rules from 2026 will put many young people who previously worked with you into Villa's hands. Have you discussed how you'll handle this?
You're absolutely right. With the Nations Cup competitions open to professionals, I was able to get a lot of young players moving and keep them active, especially with a view to being called up to the national team. From 2026, the under-23 professionals will have to wait for Marco Villa's decisions., I don't know if next year he will play some matches calling up young players or second-rate players.
Does the work you've always done as a U23 coach now need to be transferred to the senior national team?
If Villa himself wants to work on a young team with a view to Los Angeles 2028, and future commitments, he will have to make a calendar that allows them to grow and for him to get to know themThese guys need to join the national team, wear the blue jersey, and feel the responsibility. What was the point of doing so many Nations Cup trials with the U23 national team? and have several boys in the blue circle.
In a certain sense, isn't this limit too great?
I think that those who manage the juniors and under-23s must pay careful attention and understand, for the good of their clients, which path to take. Now they know that if they bring them into the professional world they will no longer have the support of what would be the national team of the category. So we will have to understand what to do, there are valid alternatives at under 23 level because in addition to the I have to team up There are also Italian continental teams that work well.
Has the UCI set a limit that somehow forces us to think about gradual growth?
I think so and I agree. A two-year course with an appropriate calendar allows you to mature in a solid manner and find their own dimension. Seeing so many juniors go directly into professionalism is a big risk because If something doesn't go well, they go back and you can't get them back..
