Filippo Colombo: The versatile rider from Ticino redefining the limits of cycling

Born in 1997, Filippo Colombo is pursuing a career that stands out from the rest, particularly in terms of versatility. While most professional athletes focus on one discipline, Colombo is competing at the highest level in two of the most demanding areas of cycling: mountain bike cross-country and road cycling.

The path Colombo has chosen is as ambitious as it is challenging, it is characterised by remarkable resilience and the ability to keep evolving.

Beginnings in southern Switzerland: the roots of a champion

Colombo’s journey began in a small village in Ticino called Bironico, where he was born. Cycling was practically in his blood: his mother and uncle provided the initial inspiration for a career in sport. However, at that time, Ticino offered little in the way of infrastructure for specialist mountain biking clubs. Colombo therefore started his career at Velo Club Monte Tamaro, a club that shaped and encouraged him from an early age.

Although his initial focus was on road cycling, he quickly developed the versatility that would later set him apart from others. As a child, he competed in his first road races, which not only gave him technical knowledge and tactical understanding of the peloton, but also provided a solid foundation for his later career in mountain biking. The time spent on the road bike laid the groundwork for the successes that were to come.

As a teenager, Colombo competed in both road and mountain bike races in the U15 category. In 2012, he decided to dedicate himself entirely to mountain biking – a decision that was not only based on his preference for this discipline, but was also pragmatic. The Velo Club Monte Tamaro founded the first cantonal mountain bike team that year. But the road was not always easy. The team initially needed to hold its own against the established forces on the Swiss scene and returned home defeated. But this setback led to improvements in training and the following year, the team’s hard work was rewarded with its first victory in the 2013 Swiss Cup.

The breakthrough: from young star to professional

Colombo’s determination soon took him to the top of the Swiss junior scene. In 2014, he won the Swiss Junior Mountain Bike Championship title and was called up to the national team. A year later, he won the bronze medal at the Junior World Championships in Nové Město – a success that earmarked him as a promising young talent. Colombo made his professional debut in 2017 and joined the BMC team.

During this time, he continued to develop and achieved outstanding success in his first few seasons, including a silver medal at the European Championships and in the overall World Cup. But what makes Colombo’s career so special is not only his speed on a mountain bike, but his goal of competing at the highest level in two disciplines: mountain biking and road cycling.

For the 2023 season, Colombo signed contracts with both the prestigious mountain bike team SCOTT-SRAM and the road cycling team Q36.5 Pro Cycling. This was a bold move that attracted plenty of attention in the cycling world. Colombo wanted to prove his versatility, but also to expand his experience in both disciplines in order to grow as an athlete.

His participation in legendary races such as the Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix gave him valuable insight and experience that propelled his career. However, he also faced major physical challenges. In the spring of 2023, Colombo was involved in a dramatic crash at Paris-Roubaix and suffered a serious elbow injury.

A setback and a comeback: from injury to triumph

The crash at Paris-Roubaix in 2023 was a serious setback for Colombo. The injury required two operations and a lengthy rehabilitation period of five months. But rather than letting it get him down, he showed remarkable mental strength. The long break did not appear to hold the young athlete back, instead it motivated him. He returned in 2024 with impressive performances, securing the Swiss cross-country championship title and finishing third in the overall World Cup. His comeback is not only a testament to his physical endurance, but proof of his incredible mental strength. In March 2025, he won the famous Cape Epic race in South Africa with Nino Schurter, and in July he successfully defended his Swiss championship title.

Looking ahead: the chase for the rainbow jersey

Filippo Colombo has already had much success in his career, but his ultimate dream is still to win the world championship title in cross-country and wear the coveted rainbow jersey. The young man from Ticino has the potential to establish himself among the world’s best mountain bikers. With his versatile skillset, which combines the explosive power of mountain biking with the endurance of road cycling, he is undoubtedly one of the most talented riders of his generation.

Away from the racing circuit, the Ticino native is an important ambassador for his canton. As a partner of the Lugano region, he boosts Ticino’s image as an outdoor and cycling centre and helps to promote southern Switzerland around the world.

Colombo has already proven that he not only has exceptional talent, but also the character of a champion. Looking ahead, he is set to remain a major player in international cycling. Colombo’s journey is far from over and his best years are still ahead of him.

10 questions for Filippo Colombo

Filippo, you compete for the top spots in both road cycling and mountain biking. How do you manage to focus on both disciplines and perform consistently at the highest level?

FC: I used to ride both MTB and road bikes. With the right planning, it’s possible to combine both disciplines successfully. At the moment, however, the MTB season is so long and the schedule is so packed that it’s not really feasible to do both sports at the same time. I think that’s a shame, because cycling is my great passion and I would love to compete in all disciplines.

Your 2023 season was marked by major challenges, in particular your injury at Paris-Roubaix. How did you manage to bounce back after such a setback and achieve your place on the podium as Swiss champion in 2024?

FC: At first, I didn’t really realise how serious the injury was, which in hindsight was probably an advantage. The most difficult moment was when I realised that I would miss most of the 2023 season. For a while, I didn’t know if I would ever race MTB again. So I focused on my physiotherapy sessions and stopped thinking about the future for a bit. More than six months later and following a second operation, I was finally able to train properly again. In the winter of 2023/24, I was motivated and determined to get back to the top.

Ticino plays a special role in your career. How has your home region influenced your development as an athlete and what does it mean to you to be an ambassador for Ticino?

FC: It is a great honour for me to represent Ticino around the world. It’s my home, the place where I grew up. Every time I return from long trips abroad, I immediately feel that familiar feeling of ​‘home’. What’s more, this region has everything I need for our sport: mountains, endless trails and a climate that is perfect all year round. All of this gives me the energy and motivation for the tough training sessions.

You have established yourself on the international stage in the UCI World Cup. What goals have you set yourself for the next few years, and what would you like to achieve?

FC: I’m currently achieving a lot of good results, but I’m still waiting for major success. My ultimate goal is to win international races. To do that, I need to keep developing and improving.

What are your long-term ambitions in cycling? Is there a particular moment that you envision as the highlight of your career?

FC: Winning a world championship title would be a dream come true.

The World Championships countdown is on – what training preparations are still ongoing so soon before your departure for Crans-Montana?

FC: I am currently completing a three-week altitude training camp to prepare myself optimally for the competition. The altitude of Crans-Montana will definitely be a key factor in this competition.

The World Championship course is considered technically demanding and challenging. Where are the pitfalls and what aspects do you think will be of advantage to you?

FC: The course is indeed a challenge. In the end, however, the athlete’s form on the day will determine the winner. I don’t think tactics will play a role. 

To what extent will the weather on this course play a role in terms of difficulty and influencing your race tactics?

FC: The weather can change everything for some athletes. In rain and mud, a perfect setup is essential. Ultimately, however, it’s your legs that make the decisive difference.

World Championships in your own country – extra motivation or additional pressure?

FC: For us Swiss athletes, it’s a very special feeling. We’ll all definitely be going into the race with extra motivation and will push ourselves beyond our normal limits. Personally, I don’t feel any great pressure and just want to enjoy the event to the full. 

What ritual do you always follow an hour before the start of the race, and do you have a personal lucky charm?

FC: I don’t have any fixed rituals before the race start, except that I whisper a few encouraging words to my bike during the warm-up. Then it’s just a matter of getting pedalling.

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