Aleksandr Vlasov set to lead BORA-Hansgrohe at 2023 Giro d'Italia

According to reports, Aleksandr Vlasov is set to be BORA - hansgrohe's main general classification hope at the 2023 Giro d'Italia as the team looks to defend the Pink Jersey won by Australian Jai Hindley in 2022. 

Russian-born Vlasov has twice ridden the Giro d'Italia before. Abandoning after just two stages in 2020 and finishing just outside the podium in 4th at the 2021 edition. Long touted as a potential Grand Tour winner, the now 26-year-old will be hoping it's now finally time that promise turns to reality.

As mentioned, Bora-Hansgrohe will be looking to defend the Pink Jersey they won last year when Jai Hindley fought off competition from the likes of Richard Carapaz and Mikel Landa. Hindley who had previously come so close to Giro success in 2020 only to see the Pink Jersey snatched away from him on the final stage by INEOS Grenadiers' Tao Geoghegan Hart.

With his success last year, Hindley became just the 2nd Australian to triumph in a three-week stage race. If Vlasov manages to match his feat in 2023 he would be the 5th Russian Grand Tour winner. Jai Hindley is currently yet to decide on which Grand Tour he will focus on, but there are significant chances he'll ride the Tour de France as it'll be much more pure climber-friendly.