The Orica-AIS rider continued her sizzling summer form with her first Tour of Qatar victory, soloing over the line ahead of Trixi Worrack (Canyon-SRAM) and Amy Pieters (Wiggle High5) in Stage 2.
Earlier in the 120km stage, breakaway duo Yue Bai (China Chongming) and Alexandra Nessmar (Lares-Waowdeals) scooped up the first intermediate sprint points but were caught a kilometre later at the 47km mark. The crosswinds then played havoc and a group of 11 riders wrestled free from the peloton including GC best placed, Chloe Hosking (Wiggle High 5) and Marta Tagliafero (ALE). Golden jersey wearer, Kirsten Wild (HiTec Products) was left stranded with a broken chain.
At the 60km mark another 15 riders joined the front group and in the second bonus sprint, Shelly Olds (Cylance Pro Cycling) took maximum points followed by Hosking and Gracie Elvin (Orica-AIS). Wild was 2min 45sec down before she suffered a crash, and would ultimately finish 3min 48sec down on GC. Despite this, the Dutchwoman managed to remain in the main peloton and hung on to the silver sprint points jersey.
The leading group of 11 Source: Qatari Cycling Federation
With 18kms to go, a group of 10 attacked including Hosking, team-mates Elisa Longo Borghini and Amy Pieters, Trixi Worrack and Tiffany Cromwell (Canyon-SRAM), Elvin and Garfoot. Their lead grew to 1min 15sec, five kilometres from the finish in Al Khor.
With two kilometres to go, Pieters, Kasper (Boels - Dolmans) Worrack and Garfoot surprised the group with another attack and a 50 second lead.
Garfoot also grabbed the leader's jersey holding a 17 second advantage over Worrack. Hosking is fifth on GC, almost a minute in arrears.
