Amanda Spratt believes Australia "is probably one of the strongest we've had" in World Championships

Everybody is gearing up to give their best shot at the World Championships in Australia in just a few days. In Amanda Spratt's opinion, Australia has the strongest women's team participating in the UCI Road World Championships this year.

"When I look at our team, I think overall it is probably one of the strongest we've had in a number of years, in terms of the depth that we have and the riders that can get deep into the race,” Spratt told Cyclingnews.

She will ride alongside Georgia Baker, Brodie Chapman, Sarah Roy, Josie Talbot, Alex Manly, and Grace Brown. “I think Grace and Alex will be the riders we really want to protect the most and they deserve that position. They have both had a fantastic season, and they can both win or podium in the race in different ways, which is exciting," said Spratt. 

While Spratt enjoyed her years of leadership, she hasn’t been her old self since undergoing surgery last year. "It has been quite a long road to recovery,” said Spratt, She continues, “Eight months post-surgery was right before the Giro, at the end of my altitude block, and I did my all-time best ten minute power just before the Giro. That's the point where I knew and could say, 'OK, everything is going really well'.

Spratt was infected with Covid-19 in the seventh stage of Giro Donne. Her bad luck followed in the Tour de France Femmes where she had to end the tour early due to a crash in the second stage. “It was a rough July, and just when I thought my form was actually becoming really good again,” said Spratt.

Spratt doesn’t want to miss her chance in the World Championships. She is keen on proving herself this time but also maintains a slight margin of error. “I feel like I'm definitely coming up now. If it doesn't happen in this season then I really think there are so many positive signs for next season, so I'm looking both short term and long term with excitement," concluded Spratt.