Amanda is
25, a member of the Penrith Cycling Club (NSW) and current Australian Road
Champion.
This is not
her first title tho, Spratty, as her friends call her, won also the National
individual time trial title (2008) and a National title team pursuit on the
track in 2007.
And not to
forget the O Cenu Ceskeho Svycarska, a 5 days Czech Tour in 2011.
I am pretty
sure we can add more wins to this list before the end of this season.
I had an
appointment with Amanda at the Holiday Inn Express in Ghent the evening before
the ‘Le Samyn’, a 1.2 UCI ranked race.
I was a bit
early, as I sat down Wayne Nichols (GreenEdge mechanic and former pro in
Belgium) came in. We brought back some memories with a coffee.
Few minutes
later Amanda joined us at the table and Wayne went back to work.
Time to
fire questions.
Like
everyone else does on January the 1st you must have picked some
goals for the new roadseason. Few days later you became National Champ. Changed
this the plans?
A.: Not
really, cause the National title was my first goal of the season. I worked and
trained hard in the previous months just to have a condition peak for the road
race. Also the Ronde van Vlaanderen is a race I want to perform good.
Returning
to this title race, three laps to go you jumped away, did you think ‘this is
it’?
A.: O no
not at all, I didn’t think I would stay away. But it just worked out well. I
had some teammates in the chase group and they did a good job there too. With
Tiffany behind me, keeping an eye on Rachel Neylan, I felt a bit safer.
The
atmosphere around the circuit in Ballarat was also incredible.
Is
Victoria THE cycling state? More then lets say NSW or SA?
A.: next
question please (smiles). There is always a big crowd at Ballarat, maybe a
little different then when the titles were in Adelaide.
Are you
more relaxed now you had already a big win?
A.:
Certanly not, another big race should be added on the list this year, for me
and for the team. I keep working, no time to sit back and watch.
In a
previous interview I read that you was dreaming of a European team?
A.: Yea,
right, but that was untill end of last year when I could sign for GreenEdge. No
need to dream longer, cause this is a great team with an European program and
European team members.
But before
all this I had a great time and great support from the AIS too.
Now I can
learn a lot from the experience of the Euro girls.
This
changed the way of racing?
A.: We work
as a team, we are a happy family.
For example
last saterday, in the Omloop het Nieuwsblad, I would have been trying to sit in
the front of the bunch right from the start. Loes (Gunnewijk) told me not to
worry the first 40km. That is experience of someone who knows the race, who did
the Omloop before. She knows where will be cobblestones or the hills.
I saw
you in the race doing a lot of work in the break? For Loes.
A.: Yes,
together with Tiffany (Cromwell) we did what was necessary to stay away with
our little group. We had three girls in the break, we had to work so we could
save Loes for the end. Which worked out perfect. She attacked at the Lange Munt
(Amanda pronounced it in perfect Flemish!!), on her way to the victory.
But the
next race it can be someone else who will be looked after.
Is
GreenEdge changing things for Australian women cycling?
A.: Sure!
With this team as a model, other Australian teams and sponsors may follow. It
is up to us to show women cycling is not what it used to be. We are not riding
around, we race!
Up to us
girls to get more publicity, TV coverage. The rest (money, DVH) will follow.
But that is not fixed overnight, it will take time. With GreenEdge we certainly
move many steps forward.
You
started cycling at 12?
A.: In fact
I rode my bike first when I was 9, as a BMX rider. I rode Nationals, Worlds
etc...
Then I
picked up track and road. First I wasn’t going that well, but with hard work it
got me where I am now.
Strongest
and weakest points?
A.:
favourite races and where I am at my best, are the Classics. Break aways are my
thing too. Sprints with small groups, I don’t dislike.
But I am
working hard on my hill climbing. Once again not the ones in the classics I am
afraid off, but mountains like the cols in the big Tours are not my cup of tea.
Last
one: Where do we see Amanda back in the final of a race?
A.:
Tomorrow, and the Ronde van Vlaanderen!
I am pretty
sure we will see her in lots of finals, the way she talks is with love for the
sport,
ready to
work if necessary and take her chance to win whenever she can!
Girl to
follow!
Cheers!
Dirk Van
Hove
Omnisport
International
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