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.
“Silke showed last season how strong she is, particularly at the end of the season with her result at Simac, almost pulling up a win in the last stage,” co-sports director at the race for the team Jess Allen told Cyclingnews, referencing stage 6 where Smulders was out the front solo before being caught on the line.
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