He left Bulgaria with shared captaincy. Along the way he became the sole leader and in Rome he climbed onto the final podium. Clearly we are talking about Jai Hindley, standard bearer of the Red Bull-Bora who returns to the top three of a Grand Tour after four seasons.
He, too, has had his share of difficult moments. The virus that struck part of the team in Corno alle Scale affected him less than Pellizzari and Moscon, but his perseverance and determination allowed him to achieve a long-awaited result. For Hindley this is the third podium in a Grand Tour, a result that certifies his return to the highest levels, after fourth place in the last Vuelta.
With the ever-friendly and helpful Australian, we retrace his Giro d'Italia, analyzing it from a technical perspective and looking ahead.
Day after day
When he arrived at the start of the Giro, Hindley knew she was in good condition, but she also knew that the road to the podium would be long and full of pitfalls. The team showed up with him and Pellizzari and seeing how Giulio had come out of the Tour of the Alps And given the explosive start of the rider from the Marche, everything seemed to suggest he was almost the support. As the stages went by, however, the picture became clearer, and the Australian became the reference for the general classification.
From the first big climbs until the final week, Hindley always remained in contact with the best, without ever really dropping out of the fight for the top positions.
«It was a great Giro – says Hindley – very demanding, as these races always are. You know there will be difficult moments, complicated days and others where everything works out.».
Blockhaus, Pila, Cari, and Piancavallo confirmed his solidity. At times he was on the up, at times he defended himself admirably.
«I'm happy with my consistency and the fact that I was competitive in all the key stages. In a three-week race, in fact, having an exceptional day is not enough. What's most important is limiting the damage when your legs aren't working as well as they should."
A Turn of Patience
And one of the most striking aspects of Hindley's run was precisely his ability to manage difficultiesOver the course of the three weeks, not everything went smoothly. The team had to deal with physical problems and changes in strategy. Above all, the days of Corno alle Scale, between that stage, the rest and the time trial.
«Everyone has difficult moments during a Grand Tour – continues Jai – in the end you race for three weeks and, Even if you have difficult days, you can always recover and become competitive again. For this too I have to thank the team for their trust and for the opportunity they gave me to be a leader."
The feeling of being better has gradually grown over the last week. The energy saved during the hardest days has started to bear fruit and the Australian arrived at the third week more aware than ever. An invisible asset that, in three-week races, is often worth a lot. Even towards Piancavallo, for example, he wasn't particularly brilliant. It was clear he was struggling, but despite everything, he stayed there. Head down, he caught Gall and in the finale he pulled away from Arensman just enough to reaffirm the hierarchy.
With Pellizzari…
The decisive moment came in the nineteenth stage, the Giro's queen stage. Hindley himself insisted heavily on this stage. Jai left Feltre fourth in the general classification. More than a feat, it needed a measured, intelligent move. Well, he played his cards very well.
«The Piani di Pezzé stage had always been indicated as a key day. It was the queen stage and it was run in the final part of the race, so I knew it would be the right opportunity to try to gain ground."
Pellizzari also had a hand in it that day. The young rider from the Marche, after being in the breakaway all day, realized he couldn't win the stage and took a breather. He got himself picked up by Hindley and gave him a train crazy throwing him into the attack. Upon arrival, the two embraced. Hindley was on the ground, and as soon as he saw Pellizzari, he stood up. And Giulio, even before knowing the outcome of that attack, whispered to him: "I love you."
"Giulio," Hindley continued, "made a great run. He showed up at the perfect moment and shot incredibly hard when I needed it. He prepared me in the best possible way for the final kilometer, where I then gave it my all. We have an excellent relationship. He's a fantastic guy to work with and be around. He always brings positive energy. He is a great talent and I believe that Italian cycling can look forward with confidence thanks to him.».
Rome and then Paris?
The Rome podium represents much more than just a third-place finish. For Hindley, it marks her return to the world's top ranks after a few challenging years. Since his triumph in 2022, he had not managed to get on the podium of a Grand Tour. Yet he's much faster than that Hindley there.
Am I stronger? Yes, but in general, the level of cycling has improved significantly compared to 2022. Achieving results today is much more difficult, especially in the Grand Tours. The numbers have risen, and staying competitive requires increasingly demanding preparation. That's why I'm really happy to have managed to reach the podium. Among other things, at the Giro, which is the race I love most. It's not a victory, but after a few difficult seasons it almost tastes like a success."
It's nice to see a former winner of the pink jersey so happy and to say these words about the Giro d'Italia. Someone like him, aside from the usual two champions, pogacar e vingegaard, and now probably too Seixas, is in the immediate ranks of those who can compete with anyone.
In Rome, the Australian enjoyed every moment of the award ceremony. «I tried to live the podium moment to the fullest. It's not something that happens every day."
But still in Rome, when the Giro had just finished, people were already looking ahead. And it was precisely behind the scenes that the possibility emerged, which immediately became news, that Hindley could be diverted to the Tour de France, which wasn't initially planned. Red Bull-Bora clearly understood that a rider like him is essential, also for the team's balance.
