20/01/2023

"Realistically then the Tour route is much more suited to me" - Jai Hindley gives up number 1 at Giro d'Italia for logical choice

Jai Hindley has been showing good form early in the year at the Tour Down Under, however his goals lie deeper in the future. The Australian opens up about the reasons which led him to pass on the Giro d'Italia where he could defend his title.

“Obviously Bora-Hansgrohe wants to take the best team possible, so for sure, everything has to be going right in order to be there," Hindley said in an interview with Cyclingnews. "But when I look at the route for the Tour as opposed to the Giro, I mean for sure it would be nice to go back to the Giro with the number one on the back and all that, but if I'm looking at it realistically then the Tour route is much more suited to me and maybe, might not ever be as good for me again.”

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The 22 kilometers of mountainous individual time-trial and climbing-heavy route were like a moth to a flame for Hindley, who could not pass on the opportunity.

“The route in terms of the climbing and the fact that there is one time trial, and it's a pretty hilly time trial, it's a big attraction and I think the team also see that as well," he said. The Giro on the other hand presents around 70 kilometers of time-trialing with the likes of Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglic, João Almeida and Geraint Thomas all set to race there.

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It was an obvious decision for Hindley and BORA, who will have Aleksandr Vlasov lead the team in Italy this May. As for the Australian, he looks to build towards the Tour. He's shown good form in the hilly stages of the Tour Down Under.

"It would be more of slow build up for the for the peak in July. Hopefully it'll be some good aggressive racing. I think a lot of teams also brought multiple guys for GC, so I think we'll see fireworks," he concluded.

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At the time being Hindley is expected to ride the Critérium du Dauphiné in anticipation. As for the spring, Tirreno-Adriatico and Itzulia Basque Country are likely to be his main goals as he eyes the mountainous races.