“I have nothing to prove; I do it for me” – Jai Hindley opens up on pressure, super teams and surviving cycling’s brutal new era

Jai Hindley begins a new season with his attention firmly back on the Giro d’Italia, a race that sits at the heart of his career story. The Australian, who won the Italian Grand Tour in 2022, is set to return to the race within one of the strongest structures in the peloton, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, at a time when internal and external competition is fiercer than ever.

Speaking in an interview with Marca, Hindley made it clear that the Giro still carries special weight for him. “I’m excited. It’s a great race, probably one of my favourites on the calendar. It’s always good to go back to the Giro, so I’m really looking forward to returning. It’s a very hard race, but I’m eager to race there. Besides, we’ll line up a strong team,” he said.

Hindley believes that the level of modern cycling has risen dramatically and continues to do so. “Every year the level gets crazier, and it’s getting harder to win any race. It’s not easy, but I still have good years to compete at the highest level,” he explained.

For him, motivation comes from within rather than from outside expectations. “I have nothing to prove; I do it for me. I don’t get out of bed to make others happy, I race because I love it.”

He places this era of cycling in a broader historical context. “It’s incredible. I think races can’t get any faster than they are, but you have to find a way to take another step. Maybe in 10 years we’ll look back and say: ‘In 2025 we were very slow.’ It’s evolution, and I think it’s going to keep progressing and we’ll continue going faster. We’re in a special era, with some historic cyclists who are also incredible athletes.”

Within that landscape, Hindley finds himself in a team packed with general classification talent. He is keen to stress that it is not only about the headline names. “Let’s not forget Vlasov and Dani Martinez. We have a super-strong roster, with great GC riders,” he said.

Managing that depth is not straightforward. “It’s not something you handle easily, because it takes a lot of work to plan a calendar so every rider gets the opportunities they deserve.” Even so, he believes form ultimately decides everything. “If you’re in good shape and racing well, opportunities come. In the end, it’s elite sport, and if you want to compete with the best, there are no gifts.”

Beyond the Giro, Hindley still has unfinished business at the Vuelta a España. “Of course. In fact, I love the Vuelta and I have the goal of winning a stage and thereby claiming a win in all three Grand Tours,” he said.

His most recent experience there left a strong impression. “I really enjoyed the race. It’s a very tough event, but also special. I’d love to go back.”

From an Australian perspective, Hindley sees progress but also limits. “Cycling is becoming more popular, but it’s not one of the big sports,” he said.

Even so, he is optimistic about the depth of talent. “We have a lot of talented guys, some of the best in the world. It’s a nation that keeps producing quality youngsters and, hopefully, cycling will keep growing.”

Hindley is open to discussion about possible changes to the Grand Tour calendar, including the idea of swapping dates between the Giro and the Vuelta. For him, each race still has its own unique place. “Each Grand Tour is iconic and special in its own right. You can’t deny the Tour sits at the top, because it’s the most important race on the calendar.”

He does not completely dismiss change, though. “Maybe the switch could be done and it might be good, especially because of the weather. In 2020, we raced a Giro d’Italia in October and it was quite interesting.”

Asked about Spanish cycling, Hindley is clearly optimistic. When questioned on whether Juan Ayuso can win a Grand Tour, he replied: “Of course. He has great qualities and he’s strong, but he’s not the only one.”

He pointed to wider depth. “I think Spanish cycling is in a good place. There are many talented young riders,” and he mentioned Roger Adria as an example. “He’s a very good rider, although a bit underrated in my opinion. If you look at his 2024 or 2025 seasons, they were really exceptional. Right now, there’s a lot of talent in Spain.”

When it comes to legacy, Hindley avoids big statements. “They are the ones who should answer that,” he said, referring to the fans, “but I always try to be honest with myself. Maybe I’d like people to think I’m a consistent rider.”