Jai Hindley wins stage 9 of 2022 Giro d’Italia

WAIS graduate Jai Hindley has again impressed at the Giro d’Italia winning stage nine atop Blockhaus to confirm his challenge for the overall title.

The first of the three very tough stages at the Giro, with over 5,000 metres of altitude gain, stage nine was the first real test for the overall contenders.

After the last of the escapees was caught inside the final 15 kilometres, the general classification contenders came to the front. Under a fast tempo set by Ineos Grenadiers, riders began to fall off the back with Hindley, the 2020 runner up safely in the select group. 

An attack by Richard Carapaz created a more select leading trio with Mikel Landa and Romain Bardet. Behind Hindley was part of the first chase group. A slowing of the pace saw the two groups join only to split again. Behind Hindley and the chasers kept the leading trio in sight and closed them down inside the final kilometre.

Hindley took to the front and used his knowledge of the finish ton time his sprint to perfection and hold the challengers off to take the stage. 

“I didn’t really expect to take the win today. I was on the edge all the way up the mountain, trying to survive as best I could. In the last kilometre everything came together and I knew about the right turn before the finish so I went through there first and just gave it my all until the finish,” said Hindley

“I rode my own pace, and suffered pretty badly in the end. We came here with three leaders and big ambitions and you shouldn’t write anyone off at this point. Also, this win is incredible because last year was not an easy season for me. I had to leave the Giro early in 2021, so it was great to win today, especially in Abruzzo where I raced so often as an amateur.”