Giro 2026: Hindley pushes Arensman off podium after 'tactically crazy day'

Jai Hindley is the new number three in the Giro d'Italia. The Australian from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe moved ahead of Thymen Arensman in the general classification and is now heading for a podium spot in Rome. After the stage, he spoke mainly in praise of his teammate Giulio Pellizzari.

"It was a tough day with epic climbs," Hindley began in an interview with, among others, Eurosport. "I am really super proud of how the guys raced. Tactically, it was quite a crazy day, especially since some GC contenders were in the breakaway. Our plan was to have Giulio in the lead group to go for the stage win or to help me at some point. A big hats off to him and to how we raced today."

On the final climb to Pian di Pezzè (4.9 km at 9.7%), Arensman cracked. Hindley also struggled but was able, with help from Pellizzari, who had fallen back from the break, to reconnect with Felix Gall and the pink jersey wearer, Jonas Vingegaard. Ultimately, the Australian gained more than a minute on Arensman without truly attacking the Dutchman. "I just put in my own effort. It was such an incredibly hard day and that last climb was really tough," he gasped.

Hindley expressed his profound gratitude to Pellizzari once again. "He has been quite sick during this race and lost his chances in the general classification because of it. What he did today, I absolutely do not take for granted. I know it hasn’t been the easiest race mentally for him either. I am extremely thankful to him and the rest of the guys. We haven’t had the smoothest Giro due to illness and other setbacks, but the riders have been incredible."