Among our many exports are also our best young riders: juniors who become elite and go abroad to the gates of the WorldTour. It is the case of Erja Giulia Bianchi went to Canyon//Sram zondacrypto Generation and of Jade Silo finished at the UAE Development Team.
At the moment the two eighteen year olds are the only Italians to have taken this path, taking into account that Pegolo will only move to Lidl-Trek in 2027 after the “loan” in Isolmant. We wanted to find out what their first few days in their respective new teams were like. by Bianchi and Silo. Motivations, planning, and differences for two girls growing up.
Gatherings and impressions
Bianchi comes from Biesse-Carrera-Premac, Silo from Breganze Millenium, and their impact with their new teams is now a few weeks old. They've experienced it differently, albeit with similarities.
BIANCHI: «My approach with the Canyon It was fast and intense. I was in Hamburg for two days where we did the usual photo shoots and a series of medical checks. The girls from the WorldTour team were there, of course. The impression was that of a very professional environment., where the staff members were also kind and helpful towards me.
«I had a chat with my teammates and also with Niedermaier, Skalniak-Sojka and Niewiadoma. Consonni was missing, but both were there Paladin what Crows. All friendly and ready to chat about aspects of daily life, not just cycling.I was afraid of feeling out of place and I didn't expect this involvement from the start, after all, I'm the youngest of the entire group and the last to arrive."
SILO: «I met comrades and staff of the UAE during the retreat in Benidorm in mid-December. Me too I didn't think I would immediately feel at ease with everyone in such a big reality compared to what I was used to.I've established a great rapport with everyone, ready to lend me a hand with anything. For example, I get along very well with Slongo. He's been following me for a few months; I met him last summer when he invited me to a high-altitude retreat on the San Pellegrino Pass.
«Overall I noticed a lot of humanity and humility, especially from the most titled champions.. For example after dinner when girls like Longo Borghini, Mavi Garcia or others came up to me to chat and get to know me better, I felt embarrassed. Obviously I was very pleased, I was flattered."
Italian “big sisters”
To integrate more quickly, Bianchi and Silo were able to count on the hospitality of their Italian classmates. For both, they were "big sisters" who will come in handy when their paths cross again.
BIANCHI: «Among the companions of the Generation I already knew Valentina (Corvi, ed.) In the summer, during a training session, she had told me about the team and the environment, but I hadn't had any contact with Canyon yet. Then, as soon as they called me, She has become a point of reference for me and in 2026 she will be even more so since we will be running a lot together.
«In Hamburg, however, I was Soraya's roommate. (Paladin, ed.) I was very happy and honored, she's one of the best women's teams around. We talked a lot, and I felt safe with her."
SILO: «I had already met Elisa (Longo Borghini, ed.) albeit superficially. In August I won the race she organizes at the Madonna del Boden Sanctuary (her only victory of 2025, ed.) and she rewarded me, but I don't know if she remembered me right away during the training camp (she says smiling, ed.). To tell the truth, we didn't talk about it.
«In Spain during lunches and dinners I asked Elisa for some advice on what to eat before the tests. Or how I get on with Slongo. Apart from that, we haven't talked about anything in particular. For me, it was also a training camp to get to know everyone on the WorldTour team and the team."
School to manage
Bianchi and Silo will graduate this year, which has always been an important commitment to prepare and manage for those who ride at certain levels.As juniors, they wore the blue jersey many times without ever competing together, almost always benefiting from the "student-athlete project." Yet, even as cycling becomes their profession, they are grappling with obvious differences that must be addressed so that those in charge can intervene.
BIANCHII'm training more than in previous years, but I feel more relaxed than in other years. I don't have any stress from school. I attend the fifth year of the scientific-sports institute of Gallarate and my teachers already know everything about me..
«Over the last three years I have found understanding from them and they help me in organizing tests and interrogations. Precisely according to my schedule, I will be among the first to take the state examI'm in a great environment, even with my classmates. I'm lucky."
SILO: «For me, the situation is more complicated. I attended a school in Vicenza, but at the beginning of the school year I had to change. The principal didn't appreciate my many absences in the past years. and he had told my parents that if things were the same this year he wouldn't have admitted me to the final exams.
«At that point, instead of losing a year, I had to choose a private online school where I study biotechnology. Regardless of everything else, I was very sorry because I would have liked to finish school with my classmates and spend a lot more time with them.».
Calendar and goals
Just a few more weeks and soon we'll start getting serious, but first there are the last training camps to face to "fix" the leg and gain more confidence in the athletic gesture.
BIANCHI: «I will be doing my first real retreat in Girona with I have to team up 20 2 from January to February"There they'll give us bikes," Bianchi continues, "clothing and the rest of the equipment. Then from February 12th to 22nd we'll have a training camp in Calpe with the WorldTour girls. Most of my race calendar has already been finalized." I should make my debut on March 8th at the Gold Trophy in Euro in Montignoso, currently the only Italian race I will do until June.I already know that I will be racing in the WorldTour team, they will tell me which race soon.
"I have no expectations, but I feel like I believe in myself more. They know what an athlete I am and tell me I'm developing well. I'm very motivated by the environment even though I know I'll struggle in the race. I don't feel any pressure from the team, I want to gain experience and after the training camps I will have a clearer idea of myself."
SILOWe'll be back in Benidorm from January 13th to 21st with a reduced number of riders because part of the WorldTour team will be in the country. I'm currently working on some knee problems. I have a tight and inflamed muscle that prevents me from pushing as I would like. Therefore, we'll revise my schedule after the new tests..
This season, I'd like to show off and redeem myself after a lackluster 2025. I hope to grow, learning to compete in major races. The goal is to earn a call-up to the World Championships in Canada where there is a course that I really like.There's still a lot of time to go, but it can be an extra incentive to give our best."
