Amanda Spratt is relishing the opportunity to compete in the elite women's road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire. The Australian rider anticipates a "smash fest" race where only the absolute best will win the world title.

"I like this course a little better than Innsbruck last year," Spratt said. In the previous year's competition, he won the silver medal behind Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands).

"It's a little more unpredictable. It's a war of attrition. You need to be punchy and strong, but you also need to be smart. I like a racing style where you have to think a little bit and pick your timing. I like to be aggressive and choose when to attack."

Spratt leads the Australian team of Jessica Allen, Brody Chapman, Tiffany Cromwell, Lucy Kennedy, Lauren Kitchen, and Chloe Hosking. She is confident that the team will support her efforts to win the world title. She is also under no illusion that the Australian roster is as strong as the eight-member Dutch team featuring Marianne Foss, Annemiek van Vleuten, and defending champion Anna van der Breggen.

"Without a doubt, the Dutch are the ones to beat," Spratt told Cycling News. 'If you look at their lineup, any one of them could win a world title. It will be interesting. We'll have to watch them. If they go into the race without a Dutch rider, you have to think, 'Is that the wisest choice or not?'"

"It's exciting to have a strong Australian team on a course like this. The players are experienced. Jess Allen is a debutant but has proven to be a strong domestique in my Mitchelton Scott team. We also have Lucy Kennedy and Brody Chapman, and Chloe Hosking is in good form, so if we can get deep into the finals, it will be a good card."

The women's race will run 150km from Bradford, heading north to Masham in North Yorkshire before heading south to the undulating three-finish circuit at Harrogate. Spratt says that a classic-style course like the Ardennes suits him better than the mountain route of Innsbruck last year.

"It's very similar [to the Ardennes Classic] and I think the guys who did well there will do well in Yorkshire. Fast sprinters on the climbs, like Colin Rivera, will also be able to run this course.

Many expect the race to arrive at the final circuit in Harrogate in a small group rather than a group sprint, and the 150km distance includes more than 2,000m of climbing over narrow, technical roads. The weather could also be a major factor, with rain forecast.

"It will be a 100% small group at the end," Spratt told Cycling News.

"There are a lot of challenges at 2,300 meters of elevation gain, and the women's peloton will not see a group sprint at this elevation gain. There are two hard climbs early on, and once we get into the circuit, I think it will be a big battle. I don't think anyone will want to take the sprinters to the line among the top contenders."

The Dutch were expected to dominate the world championships in the elite women's event. They had previously won the team time trial mixed relay. Chloe Dygert Owen of the United States was the surprise winner in the time trial, defeating silver medalist Anna van der Breggen and bronze medalist Annemiek van Vleuten by over a minute and a half.

The Dutch are the favorites to win the elite women's road race, but bike racing often has surprising endings. Spratt is certainly a podium contender and could well win the race if the right scenario arises.

"Surprises can happen in bicycle racing. Everyone is watching for the Dutch rider." I definitely hope the surprise ends up in my favor.

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