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West Australian star Jai Hindley won’t ride in Tour de France but a return home on the cards

Nick TaylorThe West Australian
Jai Hindley holds up the trophy after winning the Giro d’Italia.
Camera IconJai Hindley holds up the trophy after winning the Giro d’Italia. Credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images

WA’s history making cyclist Jai Hindley could return home and be the star attraction at this year’s world championships in Woolongong.

The Giro d’Italia champion won’t be riding in this year’s Tour de France that starts on July 1, but it is not off the agenda for next year.

His Bora-Hansgrohe team decided months ago that Hindley would compete in the Giro d’Italia but not “Le Tour” as it does not suit his style of riding.

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Hindley has always dreamed of competing in the Tour de France but his team would only enter him if it was a course with plenty of hill climbs.

His father Gordon said: “So far he hasn’t raced because the parcours (the race route) has not been suitable for his style of riding.

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“He’s a climber.

“If there are a lot of climbs in it, which there hasn’t been the last couple of years, they won’t pick him because he’s not going to shine.

“He needs the climbs to shone. The more climbs the better.”

Hindley’s program for the rest of the year has not been confirmed but he is expected to ride in the Vuelta a España - through the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain from August 19- September 11 - with the world championships a week later.

“I’ll be super keen to get in that team, I’ll put my hand up for sure,” Hindley said.

Australia's Jai Hindley kisses the trophy at the end of the 21st stage against the clock race of the Giro D'Italia, in Verona, Italy, Sunday, May 29, 2022. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)
Camera IconAustralia's Jai Hindley kisses the trophy at the end of the 21st stage against the clock race of the Giro D'Italia, in Verona, Italy, Sunday, May 29, 2022. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP) Credit: Massimo Paolone/AP

Hindley’s parents surprised him with a flying visit and were in the Verona Arena when he collected the trophy.

He would be keen to get home having not been back in Perth from his base in Girona, Spain since the start of the COVID pandemic, and that was only a 24-hour stopover after competing in the Sun Tour in February 2020.

Hindley, the first Australian winner of the Italian Grand Tour, finished second two years ago, had a horror 2021 that saw him pull out of the race, but at the second time of asking had a happy ending.

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