Amanda Spratt of Orica Scott has won the Women’s Tour Down Under
The final stage had Orica Scott’s Amanda Spratt still in the leader’s jersey and she said before the stage in Victoria Park, Adelaide which was over a 1.2km circuit, that:"The Tour's definitely not over yet.”, despite having a 25 second lead over Janneke Ensing of the Ale Cipollini team.
This hour long race saw every break shut down and with five laps left, Orica Scott took to the front to protect Scott and allowed the race to finish in a bunch sprint.
Kirsten Wild of Cylance Pro Cycling took the win, her second victory in this year’s race in 1.02.42 followed by Annette Edmondson and Chloe Hosking.
“It’s a big sense of relief for me now and I am really, really happy to have won,” Spratt said to the Orica Scott Press Office. “The team were once again incredible today they had everything covered all race.”
“They all said it was a harder race today than last year but I thought it was a lot easier, so it just shows how much work they did and I could just sit in and let them do everything for me again today.”
“It was our goal to keep this jersey and we have done it, it really was a team effort so I am really happy we have also won the teams classification. I get to step up on the podium with the whole team and that is a really special moment for me.”
Despite Spratt’s impressive tally of road race victories, an overall general classification achievement is fairly new to her having only ever won one other stage race back in 2011, making it an extra special victory today.
“It´s great to get a tour win, I must say it’s a little bit stressful the general classification business,” Spratt continued. “It took a while to get used to it and it is been an interesting experience.
“Normally I am the one helping the GC leader and try and calm them down, so I have a new appreciation being in this position now.”
Source: DSG
