Since winning the Maglia Rosa at the 2022 Giro d'Italia, Jai Hindley is yet to return and defend his title. Skipping the race in 2023 to try and race for Tour de France victory, the Australian looks set to once again be in France next summer, but this as a super domestique.
The arrival of Primoz Roglic at BORA - hansgrohe from Jumbo-Visma would likely have given mixed emotions to Hindley. The chance to ride alongside and learn from the Slovenian will undoubtedly benefit Hindley but one of the main reasons for former Tour de France runner-up joining the team is because he wants sole leadership at the French Grand Tour.
"I see Jai more at the Tour. We have a long TT in the Giro and it could be a big benefit for us to have him with Primoz at the Tour instead," BORA - hansgrohe manager Ralph Denk has explained to GCN, all but confirming this super domestique role for Hindley next summer.
This likely would mean no Giro d'Italia again for the former Maglia Rosa. “It’s not decided yet but to win the title from 2022 is super hard for Jai because of the super long TTs in the Giro and, to be honest, he’s a pure climber and the third week in the Giro is not as hard as before," Denk explains. "There’s no Mortirolo or Zoncolan, so the really hard climbs that make the difference are not there. The steep climbs are missing, where Jai can make the difference, as he did in 2022."
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