In 2016 as defending champion, Amanda Spratt (Mitchelton-Scott) played a key supporting role in the Australian championships last January, arriving at the line together with teammate Katrin Garfoot. While Garfoot took the gold medal, Spratt proved that the Buninyong course is one on which she excels, and with a constructive off-season done and dusted, she is confident of further success.
"I am definitely in good shape. I had a good pre-season and it has been built up really steadily," Spratt told Cyclingnews. "I had my first hit out at the national crit champs on Wednesday and the shape was really good. I am probably in some of the best shape I have been in at this time of the year heading into the road race. The legs are good and I have done the work so I am confident I will have good legs tomorrow."
While Spratt has focused on her and the team's preparation for the 104.4km race, she had remained observant of the start list and the form of her rivals for Sunday.
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"I think it is going to be the most competitive field we have had for years with the spread on the teams and [the fact] that it is a Commonwealth Games year. Whoever wins this is automatically selected - so there are higher stakes on this race and everyone is going to be in top shape," said Spratt, who won't be racing the quadrennial event even should she win.
"The courses changes, I don't believe will change the outcome too much. We still go up the climb nine times and it will be a race of attrition. The bunch will dwindle down I think it will be a small selection that makes that final."
One of the dangerous rivals for Spratt is Garfoot who, having left Mitchelton-Scott, is without a team this year. Garfoot's third straight time trial title on Friday was a clear warning that her condition is good, and it is one that Spratt has heeded.
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