Spratt and Meyer Reveal Australian Champion Jerseys Ahead of Tour Down Under

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Spratt and Meyer Reveal Australian Champion Jerseys Ahead of Tour Down Under

Mitchelton-Scott duo Cameron Meyer and Amanda Spratt have announced the national champion jerseys they will wear throughout 2020, starting with the Tour Down Under.

The pair won the elite men's and women's national road race titles over the weekend, Meyer for the first time in his career and Spratt for the third time.

Both wore plain "green and gold" national champion jerseys at the awards ceremony, but Mitchelton-Scott produced a trade team version with sponsor logos.

The team's standard jersey is black and yellow, but Meyer and Spratt's jerseys are white with gold sleeves and a green and gold horizontal band on the chest.

"I already received my kit after Sunday's race and tried it on. I didn't get to ride yesterday so I was disappointed and tried it on again. And today I finally got to wear it in training," Spratt said.

"I've been national champion twice before and it never gets old or boring. I find that the older I get, the harder it gets to win and now I appreciate this moment even more.

Meyer, on the podium with tears streaming down his face after the long road to the national title, said: "I don't think it feels real yet, 12 years is a long time, so it's going to take a little more time for it to sink in. You have to go out and race and let the home crowd see you racing in the jersey.

Spratt and Meyer will debut their new kit at the Tour Down Under, with the four-stage women's race starting Thursday and the six-stage men's race next Tuesday.

Meyer, who won the 2011 Tour Down Under, lines up as part of the powerful Mitchelton-Scott team that includes two-time previous winner Darryl Impey and 2018 Vuelta a EspaƱa winner Simon Yates. Luke Durbridge, the recently crowned Australian time trial champion, is also there, along with Jack Bauer, Lucas Hamilton, and Michael Hepburn.

"It means a lot to me to wear the jersey here. The Tour Down Under has a great history for me, I won it in 2011. I love this race and Australian summer cycling, and to wear this jersey in Australia in January and February is great," Meyer said.

"The last Sunday will be great. It will be so cool to wear this jersey on Australia Day and climb Willunga, and having the ochre jersey on the team will make it even more special."

"We want to start the season in a good way and I think the addition of Simon Yates will bring a new dimension to the team as he will have two hilltop finishes that we haven't had in the past. Also, Daryl Impey will be a great addition to the team in Australia in January. He is the two-time defending champ and will be looking for his third win.

As for Spratt, the 32-year-old will be looking for her fourth consecutive Tour Down Under title, but the lack of major climbs puts the 2020 route at a disadvantage for her.

She will be part of the Mitchelton-Scott lineup, which includes Grace Brown and Lucy Kennedy, who finished third at the national championships.

"We have already shown, especially at nationals, that we are a really strong team. Grace was really strong and Lucy is in great shape. We have three really strong riders on the team and I can't find another team that has three strong cards like we do.

"We can't just look at one point on the course and think that's where we'll win or lose. It's a dynamic course, but having ridden the second and third stages today, we know that both are tough and that there are plenty of opportunities.

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