The runner-up at the 2020 Giro d'Italia has been the subject of extensive rumours that he'll be the next talented rider to leave Team DSM with his contract coming to an end at the conclusion of the 2021 season. Michael Matthews and Marc Hirschi were notable recent departures from the squad, leaving Team DSM mid-deal in what has become a worrying trend for the squad.
Trek-Segafredo were the potential new team for Hindley, with a multiple-year deal rumoured. However, Luca Guercilena, general manager for Trek-Segafredo, refuted any link between the team and Hindley.
"I don’t know how it’s come out that he’s signed with us but there’s no link," Guercilena told Cyclingnews. "We spoke with the agent and we talked about which riders were out of contract but we’ve not reached any agreement and we’ve not even talked about negotiations. I don’t know where this rumour has come from. I don’t get it."
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Guercilena confirmed that the future of Vincenzo Nibali will be discussed after the Giro d’Italia, with the 36-year-old out of contract at the end of the year.
"We will talk with Vincenzo after the Giro," Guercilena said. "With what’s happened we’ve just been so focused on getting ready for the Giro. We want to arrive at the Giro in the best way possible and then after the Giro we can take it from there.
"It’s up to him if he wants to ride next year. It’s about his motivation but he needs to have the freedom to decide if he wants to carry on. From a physiological point of view, he has the capabilities, for sure, but he would also like to test himself on the road. We’ll talk with him after the Giro."
The focus for Trek-Segafredo is retaining their current young talent, with Milan-San Remo winner Jasper Stuyven, 2019 World Champion Mads Pedersen and exciting climber Giulio Ciccone all with long-term deals in place.
Guercilena is looking to support those riders with some new talent rather than trying to sign a big name.
"We are looking at the market but maybe someone shows up with a good performance during a Grand Tour," said Guercilena. "I’m more in favour of that then looking for a big name, because there aren’t many of them on the market this year."
"We have to find the right riders who fit the group, as we have the young guys like Ciccone, and the kids who are growing up. For Ciccone, I’m interested in someone who can help him but it’s more second line stuff at the moment.
"For the next years we have a group of riders that we’ve invested in for a long time like Jasper Stuyven, Mads Pedersen, Bauke Mollema and Ciccone so actually we’d like to keep going in the best way possible in terms of supporting them. For the most part, we want to keep our solid group going.
"For sure we are thinking about adding a couple of good riders but we want to keep supporting our young kids as they progress in a good direction. We want to see our investments in youth progressing."
Jai Hindley's next race is the Giro d'Italia broadcast live and free on SBS VICELAND and streamed on SBS On Demand from May 8-30. The toughest race in the most beautiful place will illuminate your screens for the month of May!
