"We believe that he can win a Grand Tour again" - Jai Hindley optimistic he can get back to his best as Red Bull - BORA offer full backing

Jai Hindley has struggled to replicate the kind of form that saw him crowned Giro d'Italia champion in 2022 over the last couple of seasons. Whether it be crashes, injuries or illness, the Australian has been plagued by bad luck. Nevertheless, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe maintain full support of the 28-year-old as he previews the 2025 season full of optimism.

"I didn't have a great year myself, it was actually quite terrible," Hindley admits with brutal honestly in conversation with In de Leiderstrui. "I was often sick, had to deal with setbacks, but that's how it works in cycling sometimes. Hopefully I can bounce back next year!"

"It wasn't that long ago that he won the Giro, only two years ago. We believe that he can win a Grand Tour again, but then with very good preparation and a healthy Jai. We have to work on that," adds Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe's boss Ralph Denk. "We are already busy with 2025, where health is an important part. If we can get that right, the rest will follow. We still believe in Jai, it is not for nothing that we extended his contract until the end of 2026."

Although 2023 still saw the highlights of a day in the Maillot Jaune and a famous stage victory at the Tour de France, Hindley's 2024 passed by without a single victory added to his palmares. "He started the season well with a third place in the Tirreno, but then the health problems came. And let's be honest: in part two of the year there are not that many races that suit him," Denk assesses. "After the Tour de France, we could not get him ready for the Vuelta, so we went to plan B, with a lot of one-day races. I think he did OK, especially in Canada. But Jai is and remains a Grand Tour rider. Hopefully he remains more stable next year and we find the reasons behind his health problems. We have some ideas about that, so hopefully that will work."

In 2025, could Hindley return to Italy in search of a return to his best form? "I love the Giro, but we'll see," concludes the Australian.