Hindley enters Vuelta a Burgos with strong result after "big shock for my system"

Jai Hindley has returned to competition at the Clasica San Sebastian this past weekend with a DNF in his results sheet, however his first stage of the Vuelta a Burgos revealed much better form as he's getting back into racing.

“To be honest, Saturday was a big shock for my system after returning to racing from a longer break," the Giro d'Italia champions said after the first stage of Burgos. "I prepared well in Andorra, but I always need some race intensity to get in shape," he explained. It is not uncommon for riders to suffer through their return to competition as it is a different kind of effort to that experienced in training, and Hindley is getting over the hurdle.

"Sunday was already a lot better and today I had quite good legs for the first time," he said of the Circuito de Getxo where he finished in 12th place. Looking to get his racing rhythm back into the Vuelta a Espana, Hindley has went on to finish the first stage of the Spanish race in fourth place, on a finale that did not particularly suit him, and gaining time on several of his rivals for the week who struggled with the explosive finale.

"I was on the wheel of Buitrago at the right moment, but I hesitated a second as I was on the limit like everybody," he said. Santiago Buitrago went on to take the stage win and the first leader's jersey, however Hindley's convincing performance will likely see him as the main card to play in the mountains for BORA - hansgrohe. "Santiago was the strongest today I think, but I am happy how I felt today and can look forward confident now," he concluded.