Amanda Spratt wins 2017 Women's Tour Down Under
Orica-Scott rider Amanda Spratt led the 2017 Santos Women's Tour from the opening stage, never relinquishing the lead
Australian Amanda Spratt (Orica-Scott) took the overall victory in the 2017 Women's Santos Women's Tour in Australia on Tuesday, having led the four-day race from the opening stage.
Spratt took a solo victory on Saturday in Meadows, and then successfully defended the lead throughout the following three stages.
Tuesday's fast final criterium left little room for error, and Spratt was aware going into the stage that one wrong move would spell the end of her term in the race lead.
>>> Tour Down Under 2017: Latest news, reports and info
“It’s a big sense of relief for me now and I am really, really happy to have won,” Spratt said after the stage. “The team were once again incredible today they had everything covered all race.”
“They all said it was a harder race today than last year but I thought it was a lot easier, so it just shows how much work they did and I could just sit in and let them do everything for me again today.”
“It was our goal to keep this jersey and we have done it, it really was a team effort so I am really happy we have also won the teams classification. I get to step up on the podium with the whole team and that is a really special moment for me.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Spratt concluded the race with a margin of 25 seconds over Janneke Ensing (Ale Cipollini), with final stage winner Kirsten Wild (Cylance Pro Cycling) in third spot overall.
It's Spratt's first stage race overall victory. “It's great to get a tour win, I must say it’s a little bit stressful the general classification business,” commented the 29-year-old.
“It took a while to get used to it and it is been an interesting experience. Normally I am the one helping the GC leader and try and calm them down, so I have a new appreciation being in this position now.”
British rider Alice Barnes (Drops Cycling Team) finished in ninth place overall.
Orica-Scott has won every edition of the Santos Women's Tour since it appeared on the calendar in 2015.
Results
Women's Tour Down Under 2017, stage four: Adelaide to Adelaide
1. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cylance Pro Cycling, in 1-02-42
2. Annette Edmondson (Aus) Wiggle-High5
3. Chloe Hosking (Aus) Ale Cipollini
4. Peta Mullens (Aus) Hagens Bermans
5. Grace Garner (GBr) Wiggle-High5
6. Chloe Dygert (USA) Sho-Air Twenty20
7. Gretchen Stumhofer (USA) Sho-Air Twenty20
8. Anna Trevisi (Ita) Ale Cipollini
9. Alexis Ryan (USA) Canyon SRAM
10. Katrin Garfoot (Aus) Orica-Scott, all same time
Final general classification
1. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Orica-Scott, in 6-59-36
2. Janneke Ensing (Ned) Ale Cipollini, at 25 secs
3. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cylance Pro Cycling, at 40 secs
4. Lauren Kitchen (Aus) WM3 Energie, at 50 secs
5. Alexis Ryan (USA) Canyon SRA, at 51 secs
6. Peta Mullens (Aus) Hagens Bermans, at 58 secs
7. Katrin Garfoot (Aus) Orica-Scott, at 59 secs
8. Ruth Winder (USA) UnitedHealthcare, at 59 secs
9. Alice Barnes (GBr) Drops Cycling Teams, at 1-01
10. Susanna Zorzi (Ita) Drops Cycling Team, at 1-01
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
We rode and reviewed the Ouray, Parlee Cycles' first new bike model since facing bankruptcy
The storied American brand continues with a Portugal-made carbon steed that goes zoom but doesn’t fit like a race bike
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
French pro cyclist suffering with memory loss after Tour Down Under crash
‘I have no memory of the crash’ says Rudy Molard of Groupama FDJ after incident in Australia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I don't know if I'll be at this team or in cycling next year': Julian Alaphilippe on the Giro d'Italia, finding his form, and his relationship with Patrick Lefevere
Frenchman will focus on the Classics and then the Giro d'Italia in his contract year at Quick-Step
By Adam Becket Published
-
There is so much hope for British cycling, despite the domestic scene’s troubles
Stevie Williams’ victory at the Tour Down Under was just the latest breakthrough ride by a Briton, although there might not be a home UCI stage race to perform at soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Oscar Onley, Isaac del Toro proud but disappointed as both miss out on Tour Down Under victory
Scot finishes fourth, Mexican second, as breakthrough weeks end in dismay
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Underestimated' no more: Stevie Williams powers to victory at Tour Down Under
The 27-year-old from Aberystwyth conquered Mount Lofty on Sunday to take overall victory in Australia, his first WorldTour GC win
By Adam Becket Published
-
Stevie Williams 'over the moon' to be in lead at Tour Down Under ahead of 'tough' final stage
The 27-year-old leads the Australian race on count-back, and is hoping to triumph overall on Sunday
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘He’s worked it out’: Oscar Onley meets his high expectations with Willunga Hill stage win at Tour Down Under
The 21-year-old Scot has shown his potential before, but a first win, at WorldTour level too, proved it
By Adam Becket Published
-
Willunga Hill set to shake up Tour Down Under, with GC battle shrouded in mystery
Two climbing stages follow four days of largely flat racing in South Australia, so the weekend will decide the race
By Adam Becket Published