Aussie rules as Hindley takes Giro

Jai Hindley proves he's the real deal, sealing Giro victory in the final-day time trial

- James Shrubsall

Jai Hindley went from nearly-man to history-maker in two short kilometres on the Marmolada last weekend, putting to bed the hurt of 2020 to become the first Australian to win the Giro d'Italia on Sunday.

Having worn the leader's maglia rosa for a scant 19 minutes in 2020 before Tao Geoghegan Hart took it from him in the final day time trial, Hindley always swore he would keep trying to win the race.

When Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) cracked in what were the final two climbing kilometres of the entire race on Saturday, Hindley was able to take advantage and open up a 1-25 cushion over the Ecuadorian - a gap which, barring illness or a crash, was unlikely to disappear in Sunday's final time trial in Verona.

So it proved, with Hindley losing just seven seconds to Carapaz over the 17.4km test to seal the win and finish a very respectable 15th in the time trial itself.