Jai Hindley will race a home Nationals in Perth

Australia’s top cyclists are starting to confirm their Road Nationals attendance, and the first name to be announced is a big one.

Jai Hindley, winner of the 2022 Giro d’Italia, will return to his hometown of Perth to race the AusCycling Road National Championships this January.

The 28-year-old from Midland Cycle Club will go back to where it all began when he competes in his first Australian championships since 2020.

"It is the first time in, well, however many years they have changed the course from Ballarat, so that in itself is appealing," Hindley said in an interview with The West Australian.

"Ballarat was a really good course, it always gave a really good race, but it’s also nice to change it up a bit. To race in Perth will be pretty special.

"The last few years for me it didn’t align with other goals, but it would be rude not to do it – it’s in my back yard."

Back in 2020 – it feels like a lifetime ago – Hindley was riding for Team Sunweb. He animated the road race, joining the early breakaway on the slopes of Mount Buninyong. He would eventually finish 21st while fellow West Australian, Cameron Meyer, took the title.

Hindley on the attack at his last Nationals appearance. (Zac Williams)

Later that summer, Hindley won the Jayco Herald Sun Tour. But, as we all know, bigger things were yet to come. He’d finish that season as runner-up at the Giro d’Italia before grasping the maglia rosa two years later, becoming only the second Australian to win a Grand Tour.

Hindley has certainly matured into a new chapter of his career. Between then and now, he’s also won a stage of the Tour de France and worn the leader’s maillot jaune, as well as winning an Oppy Award as AusCycling Cyclist of the Year.

The Road Nationals, too, are entering their next phase, moving to Perth after 18 years in Ballarat. January’s event will be the first time Perth has hosted the Australian titles since 1997.

The elite men's road race will be held over 177km, consisting of 13 laps of the 13.6km circuit through Kings Park and the Perth CBD.

"On paper it looks much easier than the Ballarat course, but it will still be a tough day out and probably a pretty open race, very tactical, and the finish is also quite punchy as well," Hindley said.

"There are some iconic Perth locations on the course. Like Kings Park with the view over the city, down Mounts Bay Road along the river past the boat shed and past the brewery back to the CBD and up that kicker to Kings Park and finishing with that view."

Hindley will be riding for his professional team, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, potentially linking up with Sam Welsford to form a powerful Perth duo.

The Australian WorldTour team, Jayco-AlUla, is expected to line up in force, likely with three-time road champion Luke Plapp chasing a record fourth consecutive win.

"I know a lot of the local guys are in peak form. It can be the biggest race of the year and you have a lot of pros coming who will also be in good form for the January races," Hindley said.

"If you want to perform at the Nationals you have to be in form."

Feature photo: Craig Render / RCPix