After a challenging season, Hindley focuses on two Grand Tours but first aims to become Australian Champion

2024 was a year Jai Hindley wanted to forget quickly. Except for a good GC in the Tirreno-Adriatico, it was very disappointing. However, the former Giro d'Italia winner is determined to return to the top of the Grand Tours and still believes in his potential.

"I definitely still have the confidence in myself," Hindley recently told AAP. "I definitely have that self-belief still and I have to put '24 behind me and draw a line under that one because it just didn't work for many reasons. I still feel like I can be really competitive at the pointy ends of the Grand Tours. I'm really excited for the Giro – I'd like to go back there. It's one of my favourite races. I'm really motivated for the whole season."

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Giro as super-domestique for Roglic and chasing own chances in the Vuelta

Although Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe has already announced Primoz Roglic as the team leader for the Giro d'Italia, the Australian will have to act as a super-domestique in the Italian round. But it has been shown many times that a good GC is possible. For the Vuelta a España, there is still a frontman position up for grabs within the German team. In 2022, the 28-year-old rider finished ninth in the GC.

The first big challenge for Hindley in 2025 is to win the Australian national road title. The race will take place on January 12. "I'm really excited, it's a massive opportunity, especially for the guys from WA. Ballarat, Buninyong, always put on a great race and … really cool towns as well. It might not be the easiest especially for the east-coast guys, but I hope everyone realises how good the riding is and how good it is as a city. It's insane how many people are out riding. The bunch ride culture in Perth is really cool," Hindley said.

The climber goes on to analyze about his first big goal. "It's very open. I'd imagine it will be quite hot, probably windy as well … these two factors can make a real difference." The rider of Red Bull- BORA-hansgrohe is not alone in the fight. "Maybe on paper it doesn't look as hard as Buninyong, but I think it will be harder than guys think. It's about playing your cards right. We (Hindley and Welsford) will look to play off each other a bit. Sam's moving really well at the moment – it will just be good to race with him. It should be good fun," concludes Hindley, who, by the way, will skip the Santos Tour Down Under.

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