There are seasons that don’t just change the rankings — they change the way an athlete looks at himself. For Filippo Fontana, this was one of those seasons. A solid, consistent year, built without noise but with a clarity rarely seen in such a young rider. A journey that led him all the way to fifth place at the World Championships, a result that marked a clear before and after. And along that path, even the technical details — like choosing the Selle SMP F20C saddle — played a key role.

The Spark: When You Realize the Engine Is Running “Differently”

Paradoxically, everything started with a forced stop. An injury that sidelined him for about two months, breaking his preparation and drastically shortening his season.

“After the injury on June 6th, my first race was on August 23rd. With such a short MTB season, I couldn’t find continuity, so cyclocross became my real training ground.”

What for many would have been a limitation became an opportunity for Filippo.

“Cyclocross has always been a continuation of MTB for me, almost a personal passion. But this year, with fewer mountain bike races, I could dedicate more energy to it.”

The goal was simple: break into the top ten. At the World Championships, instead, no specific expectations — just the desire to race for real.

“After the first two laps, I realized my legs were really there. The sensations were exactly right.”

The 48 Hours Before Worlds: Calm as a Weapon

No superstitions, no pre-race rituals.

“I’m a calm person. I listen to some music, relax. The important thing is to be ready at the start.”

A simplicity that isn’t superficiality, but clarity — the same clarity that allowed him to read the race with surgical precision.

The Technical Choice That Changed Everything

In cyclocross, details are everything. And sometimes, the detail is a tire.

“I was one of the few to start on dry tires. I felt confident, the course was fairly dry. When it started raining in the last two laps, I switched bikes immediately. It was a huge advantage.”

You don’t need complex tactics when you have the cool head to manage your race pace and the sensitivity to understand when the terrain is changing under your wheels.

Setup, Mud, and the F20C Saddle: Stability That Allows Movement

In cyclocross, the setup doesn’t change dramatically — it gets refined.

“The position stays the same; what changes are the tires. The riding style between MTB and cross is different, but the position remains.”

And then there’s the saddle — often underestimated, but decisive when the course turns into a battlefield.

“With mud, you need to be dynamic. You need a saddle that lets you move but still gives you stability when you push on the nose, especially in MTB. The Selle SMP F20C does exactly that: stable, yet free.”

In recent years, Filippo notes, even amateurs have realized how much the saddle influences handling. A detail that is no longer a detail — especially with technical products like Selle SMP, designed to deliver performance and comfort even in extreme conditions.

The Right Feeling: When Bike and Course Speak the Same Language

Cyclocross is a constant balance between power and control.

Filippo isn’t a “delicate” rider:

“I adapt to the equipment; I’m not hypersensitive.”

And perhaps it’s precisely this adaptability that allows him to find the feeling everyone looks for: the bike responding exactly as it should, exactly when it matters.

Training changes, evolves, but the logic stays the same:

“In cross you work on short, repeated high-intensity efforts — continuous explosions for an hour. In MTB, the efforts are longer, with long recoveries.”

Two different worlds, one engine.

For Those Who Want to Start: Jump In, Without Fear

Cyclocross is tough, yes. But it’s also pure fun.

“You can’t be afraid of cold, mud, or darkness. If that scares you, better stick to the road. In cross, you have to throw yourself in.”

And if there’s one place to fall in love with this sport, Filippo has no doubts:

“The race in Vittorio Veneto. Beautiful, perfect for training and for experiencing the atmosphere.”

Looking Ahead: Always Improving

After a season like this, what motivates him most?

“The awareness that I can be at the front. Continuing to improve, keeping the desire alive.”

His MTB season will restart in Verona in mid-March, with an international race. A new beginning, backed by the confidence of someone who has just discovered how big his potential really is — and with the certainty of relying on trustworthy equipment like the F20C saddle, a silent but decisive companion in an unforgettable year.