Jai Hindley's move to Visma far from certain - Giro d'Italia could change former winner's plans

Jai Hindley's long reported move to Team Visma | Lease a Bike seems far from certain as transfer rumours swirl on the Giro d'Italia rest day. With Hindley spearheading a Red Bull - BORA Hansgrohe podium push as the race enters the second week.

Hindley is out of contract this winter and has long been subject of speculation, particularly with the Dutch team, with the former winner likened as a possible replacement for Simon Yates following his sudden retirement over the off-season.

However, Journalist Daniel Benson reports that Hindley and Visma | Lease a Bike have paused negotiations until after the Giro d'Italia, suggesting that a strong finish at the corsa rosa could help the Australian re-assess his market value.

In theory, Hindley could dictate a more lucrative contract if he was to seal a strong general classification finish in that demands for his signature would increase. When asked about transfers and Hindley, Team Visma | Lease a Bike General Manager Richard Plugge was tight lipped.

He told Benson: "The situation is still the same as when we spoke a few months ago. We are still looking and many riders are calling, so we are currently having a lot of conversations. You know what we are looking for.”

On paper, Hindley would be a strong replacement for Yates. The 30-year-old has won the Giro in 2022 and taken two stage wins alongside a Tour de France stage win. A renowned climber, Hindley has top ten finishes in the Tour and Vuelta a Espana.

And he's on track to finish on the podium for the third time at the Giro as riders approach a time trial in stage 10. Currently in fourth, he trails behind Afonso Eulálio, Jonas Vingegaard and Felix Gall.

With high mountains to come at the back of the race, and Eulálio a surprise holder of the Maglia Rosa, Hindley could move up to third if the GC hierarcy of week one was to remain the same.