Hindley can't wait for second and third Tour week: "Epic stages coming up"

During the online press event, the good-humored Hindley appeared calm throughout. He shared jokes and flashed a broad smile. Despite the challenging nature of the upcoming second and third weeks of the Tour, the 2022 Giro winner does not appear nervous. Hindley reflects on his performance in the first nine stages with great satisfaction. "It's my first Tour, so I wasn't sure what to expect. To win a stage on day five and take over the yellow jersey is truly incredible."

"I actually couldn't believe it," he continues with jubilation. "It has truly been an outstanding week for me. I'm also pleased with my current position in the standings. While I did lose some time to the top favorites, I'm not really concerned about it. My focus is on riding my own race and seeing how it unfolds. Besides, I'm thoroughly enjoying every experience here."

In his own words, Hindley would certainly love to achieve another "coup" similar to his success in the Laruns stage. "But when you're third in the standings, it won't be an easy task," he remarks, laughing. "So, I think I shouldn't get my hopes up too much. If the opportunity presents itself, I will definitely seize it with both hands. However, it won't be a simple job."

During the interview with the IDLProCycling.com, the Perth native was asked about his thoughts on the most crucial stages for the remainder of 'La Grande Boucle.' "There are definitely a lot of particularly tough stages ahead. I even scouted some of them on-site during my preparation. I believe the time trial will be especially decisive, as it is a highly challenging race against the clock. The following day, we have a stage featuring the Col de la Loze. That will undoubtedly create significant gaps," he explains, referring to the grueling climb that spans 28 kilometers at an average gradient of 6.1 percent and is considered the 'roof of the Tour.' "It's going to be an epic stage, especially considering it may be the toughest climb throughout the entire Tour."

"We are going up quite a bit, and the descent is also quite technical. So that's something to watch out for," he continued, discussing the challenges of stage seventeen. "If you don't have a good day on that monstrous stage, you will lose a significant amount of time. Lastly, I anticipate stage fifteen, with a finish on Mont Blanc, to be crucial as well. It will be another epic day," he added, emphasizing the significance of the stage.

When asked about his personal challenges in the demanding stages, the two-time winner of a stage in the Giro d'Italia chuckled. "I don't think it's too bad, to be honest. In grand tours, I often find my best form later in the race. However, I have to admit that I felt good right from the start during the Basque opening weekend. So, hopefully, I can maintain this good form throughout the entire three weeks. Cheers, mate!"