Meet the quiet Aussie who is poised to win one of the world’s biggest bike races

He is poised to win one of the world’s most prestigious bike races – but Jai Hindley is nearly unknown in Australia.

The Perth-born bike owner is primed to hoist the Giro d’Italia trophy, offered the 26-year-old can navigate the remaining gruelling week of racing, which can characteristic a lot of rugged challenges for the subject of weary rivals.

After Wednesday’s stage 16, Hindley is simply three seconds behind race chief, Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz.

With 5 levels remaining, Hindley, who additionally completed second in the 2020 Giro d’Italia, is daring to dream, with the three-week race concluding in Verona on Sunday.

He is poised to win one of the world’s most prestigious bike races this weekend in Italy – but Jai Hindley is nearly unknown in Australia

The Perth athlete is additionally eyeing off a slice of sporting historical past – if he wins his title pursuit at Giro d’Italia, Hindley will be part of 2011 Tour de France champion Cadel Evans as the solely Australian to have gained one of biking’s three grand excursions

‘For certain – 100 per cent,’ Hindley advised reporters when requested if he believes he can go one higher than the 2020 race.

‘[I’m] not right here to put socks on centipedes, you realize what I imply? 

‘I would not be right here if I did not suppose the group might win. We are all in.’

Hindley did not compete in Italy final 12 months due to sickness, and there have been some murmurs he would wrestle to recapture his 2020 type.

He silenced his critics after successful stage 9, after which backed that up with a runner-up end in stage 14.

Jai Hindley’s principal rivals in the Giro d’Italia are Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz (pictured center) and Portugal’s Joao Almeida

The specialist street climber is additionally eyeing off a slice of sporting historical past – if he wins his title pursuit, Hindley will be part of 2011 Tour de France champion Cadel Evans as the solely Australian to have gained one of biking’s three grand excursions (the Giro, Tour and Vuelta a Espana).

‘If I might take one power of Cadel’s it’d most likely be his engine. The man was a beast on the bike,’ Hindley advised The Age.

‘If I might additionally win a grand tour and put my identify in the historical past books, that will be one thing else.’

Hindley comes from elite athletic inventory.

His father Gordon was additionally a bike owner, and inspired his son to realise his potential on two wheels at a younger age.

Hindley snr coached Jai in his early life biking and when the junior sports activities star opted for a season enjoying rugby together with his mates, his previous man was shattered.

‘I’m glad that he stopped enjoying rugby. He’d most likely be damaged and completed by now.’ Gordon Hindley advised ridemedia.com.au.

‘Thankfully he acquired again on the bike as quickly as doable.’