Amanda Spratt spent the early part of the season building her form following iliac artery surgery, but after a period of intensive training, she will once again lead the GC challenge for BikeExchange-Jeico at the Giro d'Italia Donne.

However, along with Spratt, who has twice been on the overall podium while supporting former teammate Annemiek van Fruten, BikeXchange-Jaico will not be focusing purely on GC. Georgia Baker and Kristen Faulkner, both making their Giro debuts, will also be chasing results. That will be evident right from the start of the Cagliari prologue on Thursday, June 30. Faulkner won the stage 2 time trial, with Baker in third place.

"Spratt is coming back stronger and stronger, so we should have high hopes for GC. Georgia is also in good condition and should have a chance to bring home a good result. This will be Kristen's first time starting a 10-day stage race, so her role in supporting Amanda will be important, but she will also have some chances herself."

Experienced Ane Santesteban, who has twice finished in the top 10 in this race, was included in the original team lineup but was replaced by Georgia Williams after she tested positive for COVID-19. Tenniel Campbell and Nina Kessler will support the GC stages in the Alps and Dolomites as the race travels from Sardinia through the mainland to finish in Padova on July 10.

Spratt returned to racing in January at the Santos Festival of Cycling in Australia. Since then, he has raced many races in a support role, and his best result this season was 7th in the first stage of Iturria Women's. Since the Vuelta a Burgos Feminas in May, Spratt has not assigned a number number, which is most needed on the tough Giro Donne course in Livigno. He has been training to develop his strength and muscularity.

"My personal goal is to finish high in the GC," Spratt said. 'Plus, I have to be realistic about my return from artery surgery. I've made steady progress so far this year, but I want to take it one day at a time and do my best on the hardest stages. I want to fight with all my might so that I have no regrets."

"I'm going into the Giro with a really strong team, so I'm confident we'll start with a variety of goals and I'm looking forward to seeing my teammates take their chances. It's great to see the momentum building in the last races like Great Britain and Switzerland. We will be able to make the most of our numbers and I think our biggest strength is how we race together and back each other up."

BikeExchange-Jayco Giro d'Italia Donne Team [15]