The leap from the Under23 category to the professional ranks may look smaller from the outside, but in reality, it remains one of the most demanding transitions in modern cycling. Physiology changes, workload changes, timelines change — and so must the athlete.
For many young riders, the winter when they step from U23 to the pro peloton is the season that determines whether they will adapt or struggle. It’s the period where training stops being developmental and becomes a long-term construction of durability, ready to handle the demands of pro racing.
To understand this transition, we revisit the interview originally published by Bici.pro, featuring Giuseppe De Maria, CEO of RightRide and head coach of several top riders — including those coming straight from development teams into WorldTour-level racing.
Below is the translated interview, followed by our technical reflections on what truly changes when a rider turns pro.
Interview with Giuseppe De Maria
THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE WHEN MOVING FROM U23 TO PRO?
«The biggest change for a rider turning professional is the volume.
Let’s take a mature Under23 — meaning someone with at least two years of consistent work in the category. In a heavy week, that rider will reach 22–23 hours of training. A professional does 30.
Another difference is the duration of the loading period: one week is enough for a U23 rider, but a pro needs two.»
WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN WINTER PREPARATION?
«You need to anticipate the intensity because races start earlier. Belletta, for example, always started racing in March, even when he was with the Visma devo team. Now he races at the end of January.
It’s not the bike-ride start date that changes — it’s how much the workdays become compressed.»
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS BETTER?
«An Under23 rider has plenty of time to focus on endurance and volume, then shift to intensity once racing begins.
A professional still has a volume-oriented phase, but must also include intensity before the first races.
Another thing that changes is the gym.»
WHAT CHANGES IN THE GYM?
«If a rider is physically mature — and a professional is expected to be — gym work is always present but structured differently.
An Under23 rider needs to build their physique, so they might go to the gym three times a week with sessions lasting over an hour.
A professional can do two sessions a week with targeted strength work.»
HOW DO YOU STRUCTURE THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF PREPARATION?
«From mid-November to the first team training camp in December, we have everyone train around 20 hours a week, all focused on volume.
Then, once we reach the December training camp, we make a distinction.»
WHAT KIND OF DISTINCTION?
«Those who are already professionals train around 30 hours a week.
For neo-pros, we introduce a gradual adaptation period with roughly 26 hours.
This adaptation method stays the same during the January training camp.
Then, with the first stage races — longer and more demanding — there’s another step up.
With this progression, by the July training camp, they’re no longer afraid of doing 30 hours.
But it’s the small details that make things work well.»
USING BELLETTA AS AN EXAMPLE — IS IT CLEAR HE WORKED IN A DEVELOPMENT TEAM?
«There’s a huge gap between devo teams and Continental or club teams.
It’s not that development programs train exactly like professionals, but they are more structured. They work in phases: training block, races, recovery period.
This allows the athlete to add a new building block every time they restart.
Instead, if a young rider races every Sunday, how can they improve?»
SO THE PATH IS SLOWER FOR SOME RIDERS?
«Of course. When we receive two young riders from completely different environments, we immediately see the difference.
In Belletta’s case, we talked about training and it’s clear he has a strong technical foundation.
With other riders, we have to teach everything from the ground up — and progress becomes much slower. Sometimes too late.»
What does this mean for young riders?
This interview highlights an essential truth: turning pro is not a talent jump — it’s an adaptation process.
Volume increases. Intensities appear earlier. Gym work becomes more specific. Training blocks follow professional logic rather than amateur rhythm.
But above all, the transition exposes one thing:
your foundations matter.
Riders coming from structured development pathways — like Belletta — arrive with technical awareness, training literacy and a mindset ready for progression.
Those who grow up racing “every Sunday” without structured blocks face a much tougher adjustment.
At RightRide, we see this every year:
what makes a pro is not wattage, but durability, routine, method and progression.
The winter before becoming a professional is not preparation for a season — it’s preparation for a career.
