Bay Crits: Spratt takes victory in women's opening race on Ritchie Boulevard course

Amanda Spratt, riding for the Lexus of Blackburn composite team, won the opening race of the 2020 Bay Crits on the Ritchie Boulevard course in Geelong, Australia, on Friday, easily despatching her breakaway companion Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Appselec) in the sprint for the line.

Spratt's Lexus of Blackburn teammate, Chloe Hosking, was the best of the rest, winning the reduced-bunch sprint for third place, 32 seconds down.

It had been yet another member of the strong Lexus squad, Jessica Allen, who spent much of the 45-minute criterium out on her own until Peta Mullens (Roxsolt Attaquer) eventually provoked a reaction from the others, with Allen's teammates, including Spratt and Chloe Hosking, having done their best to discourage a chase.

Matilda Raynolds took on the mantle to finally reel Allen in, but the Lexus team then proved their strength in depth at the mid-way point of the race by putting Spratt on the attack alongside Roseman-Gannon, and the pair held an unassailable 41-second gap with five laps to go. 

"I'm so, so happy," said Spratt on SBS's live feed following her victory. "It's the perfect way to start the year, and I'm happy to get the win for the Lexus of Blackburn team. 

"Ruby was very impressive out there, so kudos to her – she had a great race. But we have a very strong line-up here, so we're very happy to get the win," she said.