The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman

Francesco Puppi | CCC Pre-Race Interview

10 snips
Aug 26, 2025
Francesco Puppi, a professional trail runner from Italy and a rising star in the HOKA team, shares insights on his exciting transition to longer distances. He discusses his mindset shift as he prepares for the CCC, focusing on personal growth and key strategies to maintain performance under pressure. The conversation also touches on balancing speed and endurance in training, the camaraderie developed at HOKA Team Camp, and setting personal goals ahead of the race, showcasing the blend of ambition and humility that defines his approach.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Early OCC Memories And Mindset Shift

  • Francesco remembers being upgraded to OCC winner after a disqualification but says the race-day performance mattered more than the result.
  • He described past prep as messy and lacking confidence despite strong outcomes.
INSIGHT

Mindset Was The Biggest Change

  • Francesco attributes recent performance gains largely to a change in mindset and increased self-confidence.
  • He also highlights joining Team Hoka and growing experience as key contributors to his progress.
ANECDOTE

Gradual Step-Up To 100K Races

  • Francesco recounted a gradual progression to longer races: 80K at Templier, Lake Sodoma, Canyon and then 100K at Canyons.
  • He emphasized respect for mountain hundred-kilometer races as a different challenge.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app