Jai Hindley quietly builds form ahead of Giro return, this time in support of Primoz Roglic: “I feel even better and stronger”

Jai Hindley is heading back to the Giro d’Italia, where he etched his name into cycling history with his 2022 overall victory, but this time, the 28-year-old Australian will line up in a different role. As a key support rider for Primoz Roglic at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, Hindley arrives at the first Grand Tour of the season focused on team objectives, while still showing signs of form that echo his triumphant campaign three years ago.

At the recent Tour of the Alps, Hindley finished eighth overall, a solid result following a period of altitude training. While he couldn’t match the climbing brilliance of compatriot Michael Storer, Hindley was quick to highlight the benefits of racing hard after a demanding training block.

“From my previous experiences I know that after an altitude training camp it always takes me a while to get going again and get into the racing rhythm,” he told In de Leiderstrui recently.

“I feel OK in general, but hopefully it will be better for the Giro. After the Tour of the Alps it will be about recovery, with some easy days and some relaxation. It was a tough race, with full throttle racing every day. That's good to have in the legs.”

Earlier in the season, he also put in a solid ride at Tirreno–Adriatico, “The Tirreno-Adriatico was fine, I tried to get the most out of it. I felt good and then I went up to altitude again. After that training camp, I feel even better and stronger.”

Team manager Bernard Eisel has been quietly optimistic about Hindley’s progress. “Jai looks promising. He hasn't fallen or been sick, which is so important these days.”

In fact, the trajectory is remarkably similar to Hindley’s 2022 Giro-winning season, when he placed fifth at Tirreno and 13th in Catalunya before hitting peak form in Italy. Eisel knows that Grand Tours are often decided in the third week, but believes Hindley is building from a solid base.

“You can prepare yourself as well as you like, but if you get sick, you miss a week of good training. And that costs you a few percent. With such setbacks, you often talk about a third week in a Grand Tour, where it is often decided. But if you can start a Grand Tour with good morale and good condition, then it can also work out.”

For Hindley, the Giro is not only about personal performance, but about fitting into a broader team strategy, especially with Roglic leading the charge.

“I really hope to be the best Hindley in the Giro, but also in the races that follow later in the year. I want to be more consistent again. I think I'm not far from my level of 2023, but of course the level in cycling is also growing. Nowadays it really doesn't matter where you race and I really mean that. Whether you do the Tour Down Under or the Tour de France, the level is always super-high. You have to deliver quality and be at your best if you want to win.”

“If you want to go for the GC, you have to be there every day and that is mentally and physically demanding,” Eisel added.

Frederik Wandahl, who trained with Hindley and Roglic during their altitude camp on Teide, has also been impressed by what he’s seen.

“I was at altitude with Jai on the Teide for two weeks and we are good friends, so I know him well. He is on the right track, especially after a year in which not everything went well for him. I think he can be better than in 2023, he really went well on the Teide.”

“I already knew he was fine and full of confidence. If Primoz is confident, you know he's going to ride well. Am I impressed when I see them ride? Well, they're still just people, right? They train well, but are just as normal as I am. That's always a nice reality check. Jai and Primoz are different riders, both with their pluses and minuses. Primoz is very relaxed and he knows exactly what he can do on the bike. That also applies to Jai, who knows what he needs.”

With Roglic viewed as one of the main contenders for pink, Hindley is expected to play a key support role, but his own opportunities could still arise.

“For the Giro, Jai will normally be more of a helper for Primoz, because he is one of the main favorites. But there will be opportunities for Jai and he has also circled the Vuelta, an important goal for him.”

“We really have to see. It is good to have two cards, but in the end it is not up to me. I ride for the team and they make the choices, so I can only hope,” Hindley added.

For Eisel, having multiple GC options is part of a broader tactical strategy in modern Grand Tours.

“We always have our team tactics and secrets, but let's be honest: every card you can play for the classification in a Grand Tour is one. I've been in teams where we moved from plan A to plan B, so it's good to have plan A, B and C ready, so you can play tactically. Playing cards that you wouldn't have with only one leader.”

“Nowadays you see that there is racing every day in Grand Tours, with teams that have a new plan every day,” Eisel continued. “We have seen leaders who went along with the attack and really set the race on fire. With the unknown roads in Albania, the gravel stage in Tuscany and the time trials, there is a lot of unknown terrain, which you have to adapt to every day. Those tactics can change every day.”

Hindley himself knows what it takes to win a Grand Tour, and also how much the sport has evolved in recent years.

“It is important to be explosive in today's cycling, with all the bonus seconds. I try to improve that, but I am simply more destined for the big tours. That is my preference, but of course I have to keep up and then you have to adapt.”