Armchair cyclist said:Not according to the UCI, who, as the body that registers the contracts, should know.
Same UCI which lists Jack Bobridge (GRM) in his second pro season as neo-pro but which doesn't list Ramunas Navardauskas (GRM) in his first pro season as neo-pro? Yeah, they should know.
You sign your first pro contract -> you're a neo-pro in your first season.
You sign a stagiaire contract -> you're stagiaire from August 1 til the end of season.
You're riding your second pro season -> you're riding your second pro season. You're not a neo-pro anymore.
It's as simple as that.