Cycling: Brutal climb a playground for Spratt

The brutal Mengler’s Hill climb was Amanda Spratt’s playground as the Australian star took control of the Santos Women’s Tour

Amanda Spratt claims victory in stage two of the Women’s Tour Down Under Picture Sarah Reed

The brutal Mengler’s Hill climb was Amanda Spratt’s playground as the Australian cycling star took control of the Santos Women’s Tour yesterday.

Barring disaster, Spratt will successfully defend her overall title after she won stage two and took a commanding 43-second lead over Mitchelton-Scott teammate Lucy Kennedy.

Mengler’s Hill is a Barossa cycling landmark, nicknamed Mangler’s Hill because of its steep gradient.

It was the finish for stage two and was always going to be decisive in the four-day tour.

As the temperature approached 40C, Mitchelton-Scott predictably used the climb as the launch pad for a Spratt attack.

Their newly crowned Australian time trial champion Grace Brown drove a fierce pace and Kennedy was the first to attack once the peloton turned onto the road, forcing rivals to respond.

Then Spratt blasted clear and no one could follow the wheel of the world championships silver medallist.

“What can I say? My teammates were so, so amazing and whenever they ride so hard for you like that, you want to finish it off,” Spratt said.

“We had a plan and when you can ride it to perfection as a team, it just feels amazing.”

Australian criterium champion Rebecca Wiasak and New Zealand’s Deborah Paine broke clear early in the 116.7km stage from Nuriootpa, but they were never going to stay clear and were caught with 7km left.

Today’s third stage is also demanding, given the 104.5km route from Nairne to Stirling in the Adelaide Hills and the continuing heatwave.

But Spratt looks unbeatable.

Even though she does not aim to peak in January, she has started the season with a race win in the Bay Crits and second last Sunday in the Australian championships road race.

Provided Mitchelton-Scott negotiate today’s stage, then the Adelaide street race tomorrow will be a procession for their leader.

AAP