Defending champion Annemiek van Vleuten and Australian teammate Amanda Spratt will be a formidable double act at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
It's something that van Vleuten hopes they can build on through the year as Spratt aims to take the next step in her cycling career.
While they will often have the same race goals, the Dutch superstar said she has no problem sharing the spoils around at Australian team Mitchelton-Scott.
"I'm not a person, a rider, who wants to win everything," van Vleuten said.
"I'm really happy if my teammates win. It's good for team atmosphere.
"I'd be as happy for her (Spratt) as if I'd won, because also I know next time, she will be super-keen to support me."
The 35-year-old is coming off an outstanding year that started with the Great Ocean Road Race win, featured a string of big results in Europe and was topped with an emotional time trial win at the world championships.
Spratt, too, had a big season and now she wants to take the next step.
After successfully defending her Tour Down Under crown in Adelaide earlier this month, Spratt said she wants a big result at the Ardennes classics and the world road championships - the same races where van Vleuten will be a contender.
An obvious advantage for van Vleuten is if she and Spratt are in the key group at a major race, it gives Mitchelton-Scott more cards to play.
"Last year, in the Giro d'Italia, she was such a great help and she stepped up as well with her climbing," van Vleuten said of Spratt.
"I expect she can can make another step - she took a lot of confidence from last year and it would be really good for Australia, Australian cycling, with the world championships coming up.
"For me as well, it's important - I don't want to be solo in the final (race finish)."
While van Vleuten feels in better shape than a year ago, she said it will be a tough race to win.
The Dutch star pointed to the composite UniSA Australian team and their leader, Katrin Garfoot.
"We're one of the strongest teams and UniSA, we expect a lot from them with Katrin Garfoot in great nick," she said.
"We'll have some good battles tomorrow. It will be an interesting race."
The 113km women's race starts in Geelong at 11.20am
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