Orica-AIS rider Amanda Spratt claims major women’s cycle win ahead of Rio Olympics

RIO-bound road rider Amanda Spratt has produced a confidence-boosting ride ahead of the Games to take her first victory of the Thüringen Rundfahrt race in Germany.

Amanda Spratt after riding the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

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RIO-bound road rider Amanda Spratt has produced a confidence-boosting ride ahead of the Games to take her first victory of the Thüringen Rundfahrt race in Germany.

Spratt produced the goods on the race’s gruelling 130km queen stage for the Australian Orica-AIS team.

The NSW rider is one of four Australian women who will tackle the 130.3km road racecourse in Rio that begins and ends at the iconic Copacabana Beach and includes a number of climbs and 2km of cobblestones.

“It feel’s great to win, it was a target for the team coming into this race to go for stage wins and now we have ticked that box,” said Spratt, who also rode at the London Olympics.

“For me personally, it is my final preparation before the Olympics and I have had really good feelings in the legs here so I think I am climbing well.”

Amanda Spratt after winning the queens stage.

After launching a well-timed attack from a breakaways group, Spratt then pipped breakaway companion Elena Cesshini for the stage honours.

“I was climbing really well and feeling really good,” Spratt said.

“I just saw an opportunity not long after the main climb where it had already began to split up.

“It was a good moment and so I attacked then Elena came across to me and we worked really well together. I think we both had an interest to try and stay away.

“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.

“Today has given me a lot of confidence, it’s always good to get a win before a big event.”

The Australian was also awarded the most active rider’s jersey for her gutsy performance.