“I wasn't really sure where my legs were at today,” Hosking said afterwards. “I've been struggling in the last few races so while third isn't the victory we had hoped for I can definitely take some kind of confidence from it going into the next two days.”
With virtually nothing on the flat, straight roads of Chongming Island to split up the peloton, Wiggle High5 was one of a number of teams determined to stop a surprise breakaway from taking the stage honours. Two riders did manage to escape with 40 of the stage’s 139km left, but they were kept under control and pulled back well before the finish.
The chaotic final kilometres saw Hosking and former two-time Junior World Champion and team-mate Lucy Garner separated. Hosking had no option but to go it alone.
“Lucy and I were hanging out and talking about what we wanted to do in the sprint,” Hosking said.
“My legs weren't great so I had said I'd lead her out for the sprint but in typical China style the finish was chaotic and there were so many crashes and near misses. Lucy lost my wheel and I was already in position so I just had to make the best out of the situation which today was third.
“Of course I wish it was the top step but given how my legs were feeling I'm not totally disappointed.”
The day’s winner, Huang finished eighth in the general classification at the Tour of Chongming last year. This year the event is part of the inaugural UCI Women’s World Tour. Two stages remain.
