SBS On Demand will air the women's edition of the 2022 Strade Bianche, with coverage set to commence at 9:35pm (AEDT) this Saturday, March 5.
Spratt has not raced abroad since needing surgery to repair iliac artery endofibrosis, a rare condition that came to light after a run of below-par results reached its climax at the Tokyo Olympics.
An affliction suffered by several top cyclists, iliac artery endofibrosis restricts the blood flow to the leg muscles during training and racing, making it almost impossible to reach peak performance.
The diagnosis allowed Spratt to have surgery in the Netherlands after the Games, and the 34-year-old has been on the road to recovery ever since.
But now, with the Santos Festival of Cycling under her belt, the three-time Tour Down Under champion will open the Women's WorldTour calendar alongside an aggressive team containing Basque climber Ane Santesteban and American all-rounder Kristen Faulkner.
“I am very excited to be back with the team," Spratt said ahead of the iconic Strade Bianche on Saturday.
"It’s my first ‘big’ race after a while and I have picked one of the hardest races of the year to start again, but it’s such an epic and challenging race and I can’t wait.
"Everyone always wants to be at the front, especially in the technical gravel sectors and then in the hard finale, of course. It will be really aggressive racing and this can adapt to our style."
Teeming with solo breaks and tactical battles, not to mention the stunning white roads of Tuscany, the 136-kilometre course will provide Spratt's squad their sternest test yet, with Ruby Roseman-Gannon, Georgia Williams and Jessica Allen completing the line-up.
"Personally, I am really looking forward to being back with the team, I was a bit jealous watching my teammates race on TV," Spratt added.
"I have been in Mallorca for a nice training block, my expectation for this race must be realistic, but I really hope that with the team we can support each other and take the best out of it.
"I have seen Ane is in really top shape, so we will work together and do the best we can. I can’t wait for it!”
Team BikeExchange-Jayco will encounter 31.4 kilometres of gravel in Tuscany, with six categorised climbs culminating in one unforgettable ramp up to the finish line in the Piazza del Campo, and head sport director Martin Vestby is confident his team can spring a few surprises.
"We are going to Strade Bianche with a strong team, we are confident we are lining-up in good shape and with multiple options," Vestby said.
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"The level of the race will be high, we know that, and anything can happen when you race on these white roads in the Tuscan hills. It will be important to work well as a team and be well positioned throughout the race.
"It will be Spratty’s first race in Europe after a while and we are happy to have her back and her leadership in the team will be great for the whole group.
"Ane has proved to be in good form, Ruby demonstrated her talent in various types of races already, Kristen is training hard and working well with the team and we all know what Georgia and Jessica can do for us.
"The key will be positioning; if we stay united and in the front of the group in order to avoid any type of issues, anything can happen in Siena."
Team BikeExchange-Jayco line-up
- Jessica Allen (AUS)
- Kristen Faulkner (USA)
- Ruby Roseman-Gannon (AUS)
- Ane Santesteban (ESP)
- Amanda Spratt (AUS)
- Georgia Williams (NZL)
