Amanda Spratt couldn’t have been happier to finish third overall in the 10-stage Giro Rosa in Italy on Sunday.
“Personally it is a great result for me – I am the first Australian on the podium in 24 years so that is something I am really proud of,” the Springwood cyclist said.
Spratt won the sixth stage taking the overall lead, before her Mitchelton-Scott teammate Annemiek van Vleuten took the overall lead on stage seven and held on to secure victory.
The Grand Tour race had been a major focus for Spratt and her team. “This year the course was really tough; we did a lot of course reconnaissance prior to the event so we knew the key stages well,” she said.
“Also with the big climbing focus I spent three weeks training in the mountains of Switzerland and Italy at altitude in preparation for the race.”
She said the ninth stage was the hardest, racing up the iconic 10km Monte Zoncolan climb, considered one of the most demanding climbs on the professional road cycling racing calendar.
“Finishing third on this stage was very special,” Spratt said.
“I am so grateful to my whole team for the support in preparing for it [Giro Rosa] as well as during the race. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and staff,” she said.
The 30-year-old has been having a super season which includes winning the Emakumeen Bira in Spain in May. Spratt is currently ranked number two on the Women’s World Tour behind Dutch cyclist Anna van der Breggen.
Leaving Italy behind, Spratt headed straight for the Tour de France race La Course on Tuesday.
