'It was pretty bloody long, mate' – Former Blockhaus winner Jai Hindley recalls first time up climb as an amateur ahead of vital Giro d'Italia GC test

Jai Hindley, the last rider to claim victory atop the Blockhaus climb at the Giro d’Italia in 2022, reflects on his deep connection with the challenging ascent as it returns to the race on stage 7. Hindley’s relationship with the Abruzzese mountain dates back to his amateur days in 2015 when he spent six months living and training in the region, describing it as his “second home.” That early experience on the 13.6km climb, which he found daunting at the time, laid the foundation for his breakthrough performance four years ago, when his stage win played a pivotal role in securing the overall pink jersey. The upcoming stage marks the first significant mountain test of the 2026 Giro and promises to be a crucial moment for general classification contenders. Hindley emphasises the difficulty of the 244km stage and the demanding nature of the final climb, predicting that it will create meaningful gaps among the favourites. Unlike his solo leadership role in 2022, Hindley will now share team responsibilities with Italian rider Giulio Pellizzari under the Red Bull banner, aiming to challenge the pre-race favourite Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike. Both Hindley and Pellizzari are well placed in the standings, with expectations high that Red Bull can field a strong presence on the climb. Red Bull’s sporting director Christian Pömer highlights the team’s strategic focus on the race’s decisive third week, where a series of brutal mountain stages are expected to determine the final podium. While acknowledging the possibility of losing or gaining time on Vingegaard at Blockhaus, Pömer stresses that the overall outcome will hinge on maintaining strength and energy deeper into the race. The team’s approach is to conserve resources early on and unleash their full potential when it matters most, echoing lessons from last year’s Giro and the late-race dynamics that shaped the final standings. Hindley remains cautiously optimistic about his chances, noting that while the Blockhaus stage will be a stern test, the race is far from decided this early on. With a strong team and local knowledge on his side, he aims to be among the leading group and hopes to have both himself and Pellizzari in contention as the race progresses. The stage will not only reveal the form of the main contenders but also set the tone for the battles to come, making it a critical moment in the unfolding drama of the Corsa Rosa.