CYCLING -ROAD: Reigning national champion Amanda Spratt’s Rio stocks rose even higher this week as she celebrated victory in the queen stage at Internationale Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauenin Germany.
Spratt took the win in the Tour’s longest stage in a two-up sprint ahead over companion Elena Cecchini. The win comes with just 17 days until she will line up in the women’s road race at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
"I love racing this tour each year, last year I came close to a stage win but didn't quite pull it off so it's nice to turn that around this year and get the victory,” Spratt said. “Today has given me a lot of confidence, it's always good to get a win before a big event."
Last week, Spratt was named in a four-rider women’s road team for Rio alongside Gracie Elvin, Rachel Neylan and Katrin Garfoot.
“The Olympics has been a huge goal of mine so to make the team is just really exciting. It's an honour and something I am really, really proud of,” said Spratt who – in a race horrendously marred by bad weather - finished outside the allowable time limit while on debut at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
2016 will be the Blue Mountains cyclist’s second Games, making her just the twelfth Australian female cyclist to have earned multiple Olympic selections.
“I think going into a second Olympics I have just felt a lot calmer about the whole selection process leading up to it and also with my preparations and expectations,” said Spratt, who has enjoyed a number of wins in 2016 including the national road titles and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
“This has shown in my performances and results and is an attitude and mindset I want to take with me heading into the final phases of preparation and the race itself.”
This calmness has also come from the knowledge the Australian team will race the challenging 141km race with the maximum number of quota positions of four riders.
“The Olympics is always an event that is a bit harder to predict because the peloton is so much smaller than what we are used to racing in with limited numbers per nation,” Spratt explained.
“That's why it was so important for Australia that we could qualify the maximum number of four starters, as having an extra rider can really make the difference in a race like this.”
In May, Spratt got a first hand look at the course during a Cycling Australia course recon, also attended by Neylan.
“It was such an invaluable experience and I walked away from that with such a good understanding of the course and what it will entail,” added Spratt.
“There are no secrets about the fact that it will be one of the toughest one day races we have ever ridden with the amount of climbing involved in combination with the length at 140kms and the technical aspects.
“As a team I really believe we are a genuine medal chance if we can be smart and make our moves at the right time.”
And the genuine Spratt has nothing but praise for her teammates.
“It's pretty special to be named in the team alongside three of my trade teammates and friends,” beamed Spratt. “We will be a hugely ambitious, motivated and committed team - and I think it is these qualities that have already seen all of us have success this season.
“There is already a really high level of trust there and this is really important in coming together as a team and getting the most out of each other.”
Amy McCann
Cycling Australia
