Jai Hindley and Giulio Pellizzari combine as Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe GC leaders to take on Jonas Vingegaard at Giro d'Italia

Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe will enter the Giro d’Italia with a dual leadership strategy, fielding Jai Hindley and Giulio Pellizzari as their general classification (GC) contenders. Both riders bring contrasting strengths to the team’s campaign, aiming to challenge reigning favourites such as Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike. Hindley, the 2022 Giro winner and a seasoned Grand Tour competitor, offers experience and proven resilience, while Pellizzari, a rising Italian talent and recent Tour of the Alps victor, represents the team’s future hopes in stage racing. Hindley, celebrating his 30th birthday as the race begins, has a strong track record in Grand Tours, including podium finishes at the Giro and top-ten results at the Tour de France and Vuelta a España. Pellizzari, at just 22 years old, has already shown promise with a top-six finish in the 2025 Giro and Vuelta, but has yet to fully establish himself as a Grand Tour leader. His recent altitude training in the Italian Alps and victory at the Tour of the Alps have bolstered his confidence ahead of the Giro, signalling readiness to support the team’s ambitions. The team’s support roster is carefully constructed to provide comprehensive backing across the varied terrain of the Giro. Aleksandr Vlasov will assist in the mountains, while Giovanni Aleotti and Ben Zwiehoff are tasked with managing the hilly stages. Meanwhile, Mick van Dijke, Gianni Moscon, and Nico Denz will serve as domestiques on the flatter but challenging stages, with Denz also capable of contesting sprints given his three Giro stage wins. This balanced lineup aims to protect the leaders and maintain control throughout the race’s unpredictable and demanding course. Zak Dempster, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s chief of sports, emphasised the importance of composure and teamwork in navigating the Giro’s complexities. He highlighted the need for riders who can safeguard the leaders before key climbs, manage the race during tense moments, and endure the rigours of the mountains. Dempster’s own experience as a former Grand Tour rider informs the team’s approach, underscoring the significance of tactical positioning and calm decision-making in securing a strong overall performance. As the Giro d’Italia unfolds, the rivalry between Hindley, Pellizzari, and Vingegaard promises to be a focal point of the race. Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s dual leadership strategy offers flexibility and depth, potentially allowing them to adapt to the race’s shifting dynamics. The team’s ambition is clear: to challenge the established hierarchy and contend for the coveted pink jersey, while continuing to develop Pellizzari as a future Grand Tour star.