Jai Hindley expresses fondness for Grand Tours, as he approaches peak form just as the Vuelta a España reaches its crucial phases.
In the ongoing Vuelta a España, Australian cyclist Jai Hindley has reached the 3km mark during a neutralized stage towards Bilbao. This marks another significant step for Hindley in his quest for a Grand Tour victory.
Hindley, who is competing for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, has already made a name for himself with wins at the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, but the Vuelta a España remains an unconquered territory. A victory on the Angliru (stage 13) or Lagos de Somiedo (stage 14) could help Hindley secure a spot on a Grand Tour podium.
The race, however, still has a long way to go before reaching Madrid. The next two days, including the Alto de l'Angliru and the stage after it, are considered crucial for the General Classification (GC) in the Vuelta.
Currently, Tom Pidcock occupies the third spot on the provisional podium, while Hindley is in eighth place overall, 2:30 behind Jonas Vingegaard. Despite this, Hindley remains calm and professional, aiming to be in his best shape for the big targets.
Hindley's journey to the Vuelta has been far from conventional. He participated in only one preparation race before the Grand Tour, a decision that seems to be paying off with his extra freshness benefiting a strong finish in the Vuelta.
However, Hindley's path has not been entirely smooth. He crashed heavily at the Giro in May and sustained a concussion and a fracture to his back. But the resilient cyclist has bounced back, feeling good and supported by his team as the race heads to the Alto de l'Angliru.
The pro-Palestine protests in the Basque Country forced organizers to cut the day short and cancel the finale. Yet, Hindley was unfazed by the events of the previous day and is focused on the next stage of the Vuelta.
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