The bold switch of the road nationals to Perth is also a timely boost for Australian cycling great Jai Hindley.
Only the second Australian to win a Grand Tour, Hindley will be one of the biggest names in the January 12 men’s elite road race at King’s Park.
Having the national championships in his home city comes at an important time for the 28-year-old.
After his historic Giro d”italia win in 2022 and a Tour de France stage win in 2023, plus a day in the yellow jersey, nothing went right for Hindley last year.
Health setbacks and bad luck meant a barren season, without any wins.
But he also re-signed and the Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe team management have made it clear they have great faith Hindley will rebound quickly.
“I definitely have that self-belief still. I have to put ’24 behind me and draw a line under that one because it just didn’t work for many reasons,” Hindley told AAP.
“I still feel like I can be really competitive at the pointy ends of the Grand Tours.
“I’m really excited for the Giro – I’d like to go back there. It’s one of my favourite races.
“I’m really motivated for the whole season.”
AusCycling have mad a big call by holding the road nationals in Perth for three years, given Ballarat and nearby Buninyong enjoyed so much success as the long-time venues.
But Hindley is at the peak of a booming local cycling scene that is something of a hidden gem in the sport nationally.
“I’m really excited, it’s a massive opportunity, especially for the guys from WA,” Hindley said.
“Ballarat, Buninyong, always put on a great race and … really cool towns as well. But change is good and it’s good to have some variety as well.
“It might not be the easiest especially for the east-coast guys, but I hope everyone realises how good the riding is and how good it is as a city.
“It’s insane how many people are out riding. The bunch ride culture in Perth is really cool.”
The national championships road race will be Hindley’s only Australian event before he heads to Europe.
After the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race in Italy as an early objective, he will return to the Giro and also have the Vuelta a Espana as his other three-week Grand Tour for the season.
The nationals road race will be the first time he competes alongside Red Bull teammate Sam Welsford, who won gold on the track at the Paris Olympics in the team pursuit.
Hindley’s all-round abilities and Welsford’s withering sprint will make them a dangerous duo on the King’s Park circuit.
“It’s very open. I’d imagine it will be quite hot, probably windy as well … these two factors can make a real difference,” Hindley said of the course.
“Maybe on paper it doesn’t look as hard as Buninyong, but I think it will be harder than guys think. It’s about playing your cards right.
“We (Hindley and Welsford) will look to play off each other a bit. It’s very open, but I’m feeling good, training hard and enjoying myself here.
“Sam’s moving really well at the moment – it will just be good to race with him. It should be good fun.”
