"I still feel like I can be really competitive at the pointy ends of the Grand Tours" - Jai Hindley retains GC ambitions despite disappointing 2024

Jai Hindley didn't have the best season of his career in 2024. That hasn't dampened the spirit of the Australian, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe climber though and with a new year bringing a fresh start, the former Giro d'Italia winner is determined to get back to competing with the very best in the Grand Tours.

"I definitely have that self-belief still. I have to put '24 behind me and draw a line under that one because it just didn't work for many reasons," Hindley explained recently to AAP. "I still feel like I can be really competitive at the pointy ends of the Grand Tours. I'm really excited for the Giro - I'd like to go back there. It's one of my favourite races. I'm really motivated for the whole season."

With Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe having already announced Primoz Roglic as team leader for the Giro d'Italia, it's likely the 28-year-old Aussie will be consigned to domestique work. A potential opportunity for leadership could arise for Hindley at the Vuelta a Espana in 2025 though, a race where he claimed a top 10 on GC back in 2022.

First objective on the calendar in 2025 for Hindley though, is claiming the Australian National Championship title in the men's elite road race on January 12th. "I'm really excited, it's a massive opportunity, especially for the guys from WA," Hindley previews. "Ballarat, Buninyong, always put on a great race and ... really cool towns as well. But change is good and it's good to have some variety as well. It might not be the easiest especially for the east-coast guys, but I hope everyone realises how good the riding is and how good it is as a city. It's insane how many people are out riding. The bunch ride culture in Perth is really cool."

Unlike some of the other stars competing for the Australian title though, Hindley won't be sticking around to ride the Tour Down Under. "It's very open. I'd imagine it will be quite hot, probably windy as well ... these two factors can make a real difference," Hindley previews of the Aussie nationals course. "Maybe on paper it doesn't look as hard as Buninyong, but I think it will be harder than guys think. It's about playing your cards right. We (Hindley and Sam Welsford) will look to play off each other a bit. It's very open, but I'm feeling good, training hard and enjoying myself here. Sam's moving really well at the moment - it will just be good to race with him. It should be good fun."