Jai Hindley won’t compete at the Tour de France this year but after becoming the first Australian to win the Giro d’Italia on Sunday, the yellow jersey, cycling’s most coveted prize, is on his radar.

Hindley has joined Cadel Evans as the only Australian to have won a grand tour – a three-week race – and while his immediate focus is on recovery and a holiday with his girlfriend in Italy, future endeavours aren’t far from his mind.

Speaking in a video press conference, Hindley, still in a daze from his historic triumph at the Giro and seeing his parents for the first time in more than two years, was matter of fact when asked if he could win the yellow jersey. Evans is currently the only Australian to have won the Tour since its inception in 1903.

“For sure, why not? I’ll never say never. That would be the ultimate dream. I’m definitely not going to say it’s not possible,” he said, adding his next big goal would be to ride at the Tour.

“I’ve been a pro now for, this is my fifth year, and I’ve never ridden the Tour so that would be a huge step forward. Not necessarily riding for GC [general classification] but just riding the Tour I think is super special.

“I would love to do that maybe next year I don’t know, but that would be pretty awesome.”

Hindley has barely stopped since he crossed the finish line of the 21st and final stage of the Giro in Verona, where he made cycling and Australian sporting history, which, to him, was on par with seeing his mother and father.

The 26-year-old, who is from Perth, was previously unable to visit his parents because of Australia’s border restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.