As a home race, there is no question that the Women’s Tour Down Under is always a big target for Liv AlUla Jayco, but after winning the first four editions there has been somewhat of a drought for the Australian squad through recent years. However, when the course was announced last year they soon spotted a rider who could deliver an opportunity to put them back in the chase – Dutch rider Silke Smulders.
It was Australian riders that had driven the team's previous successes – most notably three-time winner Amanda Spratt who has moved to Lidl-Trek –but this time it wasn't home rider that seemed their best chance.
