Amanda Spratt, one of the key race favourites, has withdrawn from the Women's Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race after experiencing abdominal pain overnight.
The Australian Lidl-Trek rider has long delivered powerful performances at the event, winning in 2016 and stepping onto the podium in the past three editions, so she was expected to be among the key cards for the team. Spratt's climbing prowess has often proven a powerful asset when the race inevitably splits on the climb of Challambra.
"Unfortunately [Amanda Spratt] has been forced to withdraw from today’s [Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race] after experiencing some abdominal pain during the night. Get well soon, Spratty," said the team in a statement released on social media.
Spratt later added more detail in a post on Instagram: "Kidney stone last night kept me very down & out and found myself watching the race from hospital instead of in it. Good thing is I am ok, recovering well and will look ahead to the Euro season now."
While Spratt, who was second in 2023, may have been a strong card for the team, it had others among its remaining four riders signing on for the race. Brodie Chapman has often laid down a powerful performance at the race, finishing in or close to the top ten and her aggressive style suits the parcours.
