Spratt focused on Women's Tour Down Under defence

Amanda Spratt says that the Santos Women's Tour Down Under is again a "big target" for her this season. The 31-year-old Australian heads to the four-day stage race next week – which runs from January 10-13 – as the defending champion, having also won in 2017.

Spratt will head up a strong six-rider Mitchelton-Scott team that also includes Gracie Elvin, new signing Grace Brown and New Zealand's Georgia Williams, who successfully defended her national time trial title on Friday morning.

"Returning to a race as the defending champion is great – even more so when it's in Australia in front of a home crowd," Spratt said in a press release.

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"I haven't returned to many races as a defending champion, so it definitely makes this Tour Down Under even more special for me.

"I can't wait to be back in Adelaide. I have such great memories from this race, and I would love to create some more," she said. "It's a big target for me, and the mixture of stages should suit me, but also our whole team, so I'm excited to see what we can do together there.

"'TDU time is such a special time to be a cyclist in Australia. The whole atmosphere around the race is incredible," Spratt said.

You can read more at Cyclingnews.com