Jai Hindley had a sense of déjà vu when he found himself on the start ramp in Verona for his final time trial as overall leader of the Giro d'Italia. Not Verona, but exactly this situation just two years ago.

That day in Milan, he returned to his standard team colors and landed on the second step of the podium.

"I didn't want that to happen again," Hindley said Sunday evening.

Hindley again finished the race, this time winning the Maglia Rosa.

"I feel great," Hindley said. I had a lot of emotions today, what happened in 2020 was in the back of my mind and honestly, I didn't want to repeat it."

"I really can't believe I won, it's a great feeling.

Two years ago, Hindley started the last time trial in the same time as the superior Tao Geoghegan Hart in the time trial, but this time he was a relatively comfortable 1:25 ahead of Richard Kalapas of Ineos Grenadiers.

He had extended that buffer in dramatic fashion at the top of Marmolada the previous afternoon, but in the end there was little need for it.

He had arguably the best time trial of his career, finishing 15th on the stage, just 7 seconds behind Calapaz. On the mid-course climb, he was only one second behind.

"I had updates and felt good on the bike," he said. In the end, I was very careful on the descent and did my best to get to the line. It feels incredible."

Hindley finished on the podium on Sunday and took the Trofeo Senza Fine (Trophy of Forever). This was a first for him and for the Bora-Hansgrohe team, which was created more than a decade ago as a German sub-organization.

However, he is also the first Australian winner of the Giro d'Italia and the second Grand Tour winner after Cadel Evans in the 2011 Tour de France.

"I really can't believe it," Hindley repeated, this time emotional.

"I'm really proud to be Australian. I'm really proud to be Australian.