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Amanda Spratt: Cycling Tribe Interview
Q. Amanda, congratulations on your awesome win in the Grand Prix de Beauraing! Can you give us your thoughts on how it happened and what it felt like?
Thanks! As a team we went into the race wanting to be aggressive on a hilly course that suited us well, which is what we did. I saw an opportunity a third of the way through the race to bridge across to a rider who was solo off the front. It was a good course for a breakaway with strong winds and narrow roads so once we had the gap I knew I just had to drive it and always knew if I was caught I had 5 strong team mates in the bunch to light things up again.
To get my first win in Europe was pretty special, especially coming in solo. I had a mechanical a few kilometers from the finish but luckily I had enough time up my sleeve to stop and get it sorted… what can I say, just keeping things interesting for our DS Dave and mechanic Nicho!
Q. Your team mate Lisa Jacobs has a parent, Lisa's Mum, with an uncanny knack for what's going on in the peloton. Did she see this win coming and has she offered her congratulations?
She certainly did offer her congratulations, in fact she hand-knitted a commemorative tea cosy for me with a picture of my kangaroo salute stitched into it… Brilliant.
Q. To get a win like this must give you great confidence for the rest of the season. Does it change your targets at all?
It’s definitely good for the confidence to get a couple of wins under the belt. I think every result is a step in the right direction so it doesn’t really change the season targets for me. I had to take quite some time away from the sport to sort an injury so it has been a slow road back but I’m starting to see the rewards from some good solid training and racing.
Q. In breaking news, on top of your awesome win at the Grand Prix de Beauraing, you also took out the last stage at The Ronde de Bourgogne to cap off a phenomenal couple of weeks! Can you tell us how you got the win and where this great form is coming from?
It was definitely one of those races where everything went to plan. The goal heading into the final stage was for me to get myself into a break and try to move up onto 3rd overall for GC. On the first lap my teammate Carlee Taylor got off the front with another rider and I bridged across to them, another 4 riders then came across which was great for us as it forced the yellow jersey team to chase. I attacked on the climb with 20kms to go and worked with another rider to stay away until the end. Carlee came in solo for 3rd place and Lauren was safe in the bunch so we secured the young rider, mountains, points and teams classifications and 2nd and 3rd overall. It was a really great team effort.
Q. The Commonwealth Games & World Championships are still to come this year, do you hope to represent Australia at these events?
For sure they are definitely a goal. I think the World Champs course would be more suited to my strengths so that is one of my major goals to be able to race there. And of course racing the World Championships in Australia would be pretty special!
Q. Having the opportunity to race with the AIS in Europe doesn't come without great sacrifices. Can you take us through the journey that started with a 12 year old girl riding for the Penrith Panthers CC and now has you on the top step of the podium in a major European race?
Cycling has always been a pretty big part of my life - I raced BMX for 5 years before I came across to the road and track. In a way it does involve a lot of sacrifice but the rewards are definitely worth it. I always spent a lot of time away from home and from school but I think it has also taught me a lot of life skills from a very early age. The support we get from the AIS and all the staff involved is amazing and something I am very appreciative of, and it is because of them that we are able to come over here to race and to train and follow our dreams in such a supportive environment.
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Q. Can you talk to us about the AIS team, your part in it and what are your greatest strengths?
We have a core group of 7 riders, and have been training and racing together since November last year so know each other pretty well by now! There is a good mix of strengths amongst us which I think combines well to mean we can work well together over any sort of terrain.
I have raced overseas for several years so bring more experience to the team and knowledge of the races. In terms of strengths on the bike I think I am more of an all-rounder and can be suited to different courses, especially in breakaway situations. Why finish in a bunch when you could finish solo!?
Q. Over the years you have also had great success on the track. Do you have a preference for road or track?
I was really stuck when I first came out of juniors as to which direction I should be heading in and struggled with it for a little while, but I am so passionate about the road now and couldn’t imagine taking a different path. Having said that I always love to get back on the track whenever I am back at home, even if it is only for a speed demon session behind the derny!
Q. 12 months from now, where do you think we will see Amanda Spratt?
Living in Europe as a wiser, stronger and fitter cyclist…With a few more results on the board!J
And finally...
Q. If Cyclingtribe took a look inside your refrigerator what would we find?
I hate to be boring but probably a whole lot of salad, fruit and yoghurt! I love fresh foods, especially the summer fruits. Lucky for me we are just about to hit up Summer in Italy!
One comment to "Amanda Spratt: Cycling Tribe Interview"
Spratty, I hope you are using your tea cosy! Love Lisa's Mum.
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