Two-time Australian road race champions Gracie Elvin and Amanda Spratt will co-lead the Orica-Scott team at Sunday's 2017 race, aiming to secure the team's fourth green-and-gold jersey of the national championships and claim a third individual national title.
Time trial champion Kat Garfoot and criterium champion Jessica Allen are two other cards that can be played by the Australian team, which will start as the overwhelming favourite for a fifth win in six years.
While the team has options and quality in its eight-rider squad, Orica-Scott will be missing four-time medallist Rachel Neylan.
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"I won’t be the sole leader, but it is a course I know I can win on. I have two times now, and I know with my training and preparation I definitely have the form here to win," said 2012 and 2016 champion Spratt.
"It is one of those races where anything can happen, but the important thing is we know we are going in with a strong team. Kat just won the time trial, Jess Allen is in great form and Gracie has won it twice before. We have riders who we know can win on this course. For us, the main aim is to ensure Orica-Scott are on top of the podium."
Having claimed a confidence-boosting win at the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic on the tough Portarlington circuit, the 29-year-old is looking to become the first rider since Elvin in 2014 to defend her title.
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