Nat Bromhead
Having won the past two editions off the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under – and clearly being in stunning form – Amanda Spratt was always going to be a favourite for the hilltop finish of Stage 2 of the race.
Despite strong winds, temperatures in the high 30’s, and that steep final ascent of Mengler Hill in the stunning Barossa Valley, Spratt didn’t disappoint. Crossing the line solo – some 39 seconds ahead of teammate Lucy Kennedy and more than a minute ahead of the leaders of the decimated field – the Mitchelton-Scott pocket rocket made light work of the climb to convincingly claim the stage win. Spratt was also awarded the ochre leaders jersey and now holds a 43 second lead in general classification.
Thanking her teammates, Spratt said whenever they ride so hard she wants want to finish it off strongly.
“We had a plan and when you can ride it to perfection as a team it just feels amazing,” she said.
“We had Grace Brown do a fantastic job in the three or four kilometres before the climb and then Lucy hit it. I had instructions to attack and bring no one with me so that’s what I did.”
Despite going into Stage 3 with a 43 second lead, Spratt said the race was far from over.
“Obviously today was a great day for us and puts us in the good position but we know tomorrow is still a tough day so we have to rest a little bit, celebrate a tiny bit and get ready for tomorrow,” she said.
Women’s Tour Down Under – Stage 2
1. Amanda Spratt (Mitchelton-SCOTT) 3:13:20
2. Lucy Kennedy (Mitchelton-SCOTT) +0:39
3. Krista Doebel-Kickok (Rally UHC Cycling) +0:45
Women’s Tour Down Under – Top 3 after Stage 2
1. Amanda Spratt 6:23:38
2. Lucy Kennedy +0:43
3. Krista Doebel-Kickok +0:51
