Cadel Evans: 'Never say never' for Hindley’s chances of Tour de France win

Jai Hindley created history by becoming the first Australian to win the Giro d'Italia and just the second person in history to win one of cycling's Grand Tours, following the legendary Cadel Evans, who won the Tour de France in 2011.

The Australian Tour de France champion Cadel Evans traveled to Verona to see Hindley's Giro d'Italia victory.

When Cadel Evans discovered there that the first Tour de France Jai Hindley watched "live" was in 2011, when Evans himself won the Tour de France. He said

“I think of all the things you do as a sportsperson - and you maybe give trophies or prize money or whatever-seven years after my last professional race, the thing I appreciate the most about it is hopefully being a good role model for my country and beyond, So to hear Jai saying that on a personal level, it gives me great satisfaction to hear that now."

"And on a side note, in 2022, I was on my couch jumping up and down as he did what he did on the Fedaia, so I drove to Verona to watch him go by in the final time trial. Just as a fan and to see him and for Australians, it’s history being made. ”

However, he was unable to congratulate Hindley personally because his children’s stroller was too big to take inside the Verona arena.

“When you’re with a one-year-old and a three-year-old at a race, it’s not ideal,” he said. “I’d have loved to go in and shake his hand and all that, but my priority now is being a dad.”

Evans said, “Winning the Giro is a great start, and I’m interested in where he goes from here."

"The Tour de France is better-known in Australia, it’s more international there and it would be the logical step.But the thing is the Tour is a different race. The course of the Giro is harder, physically and the level of the race is higher as it’s getting more and more international over the last few years, to the great delight of the Giro organisersThe Tour is another level, but I’ll just echo his words, though, ‘never say never’"

"Certainly, the way he and his team rode the race was exceptional,” Evans said. “I have to say I’m happy an Australian won the Giro, but I’m happier to see an Australian who has consistently been working away for a long time, and found himself a good team that backed him impeccably throughout the Giro. " The way Kämna rode on the Fedaia” - dropping back to help Hindley - “was amazing."

"So, all the ingredients are there." But I’m happier too to see a guy who’s believed in himself, always worked hard, and just kept fighting and believing in himself after such a rough year. Because a lot of people had forgotten about him.”