CYCLING ROAD: The opportunity to test herself on the Rio Olympic Games road race course has made Amanda Spratt more determined than ever to wear the green and gold at a second Games.

Spratt, who was one of three Aussie’s to compete at London 2012 in the women’s road race, took a break in her busy European schedule to fly into the home of the first South American Games and get a taste of what she might be in for come August.

“Rio is a pretty breathtaking place with the scenery and mountains and I had to pinch myself a few times to realise I was actually there,” the 28-year-old from Sydney’s west said.

“The experience to be able to go there and check out the courses was invaluable. We had heard a lot about it, and in particular how hard it was, so to be able to see it first hand and to test it different sections, think about possible tactics, and see the demands of the course has really put a strong idea in my head of what the course entails.”

Spratt was only on the ground in Rio for three days and made every minute count.

“There was not much time to relax with the days starting at 6am and finishing just before dark - we definitely got the most out of the recon that’s for sure.“We had a few free hours just before we flew back to Europe so we went to Copacabana Beach for a look and to take the obligatory photo of us at the beach drinking coconut water from a giant coconut.”

Having seen the course first hand Spratt is confident that she, or one of her Australian teammates, can join Kathy Watt and Sara Carrigan as an Australian female Olympic road medallist.

“It definitely suits someone who can climb well but also perform well over rolling and technical terrain as well and these are the sort of courses where I have had my best results.

“The Olympics is always hard to predict because there are only a maximum number of 4 in each team which means a peloton of only 60-70 riders and it this unpredictability will definitely make it an exciting race.

“I think Australia can go into the race with confidence and definitely look to medal on the course.”

Spratt has plenty of reason for optimism to again make the Rio team having started the Olympic year in fine form.

“January was a dream start for me winning the Australian Championship and then the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. My coach Gene Bates has really done a great job in preparing me so it was nice to see all that hard work pay off.

“Since January I have been in Europe and have had a busy schedule racing the classics during March and April. I have been consistent and feeling fitter than I ever have been and my climbing continues to really improve which is pleasing.”

As any athlete will tell you though the road to Rio is not all smooth sailing and that was just the case for Spratt who had a major scare in March.

“I got hit by a car before my first big target race of the season- Trofeo Binda in Italy.“It has taken time to come back from that, be pain-free and get on top of my fitness again but I am definitely still chasing a win in Europe this season so it’s easy to keep my motivation high.”

With the days continuing to fly by Spratt knows she has to keep on performing if she is make it onto the Rio Team.

“Each race of the season is always important in terms of going for a result, helping teammates achieve results and definitely looking towards Rio.

“Having said that, selection to the final team happens very late for us – at the end of June – so we still have some really important races coming up just to make the team.”

If those results do come then Spratt is certain to head into the Games a better prepared athlete than her first Games experience. 

“The Olympics can be such an overwhelming experience when you are not sure what to expect. Everything is new and exciting and this can be hard to manage.

“Going into Rio 2016 I already feel so much calmer about the whole process and if I get selected this will be really advantageous. I also have four years more experience on the bike, four years more training in the legs, so if you combine all of that then it definitely makes for a more prepared athlete.”

After a short break Spratt will head into camp with her professional team, Orica-AIS, in Tuscany before races in Switzerland, Holland, Belgium and then onto the Tour of Britain.

Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au