CYCLING: AUSTRALIAN racer Chloe Hosking sprinted to victory in the third stage of the Women’s Tour on Friday afternoon as thousands of cycling enthusiasts packed The Parade in Leamington town centre.
Hosking came off Giorgia Bronzini’s back wheel with just 100 metres left in the 151km race, which started in Atherstone before progressing around Warwickshire.
Only Drops rider Alice Barnes provided a challenge on the long, gently rising, drag to the finish line.
There was drama in the closing stages opposite Jephson Gardens as Marianne Vos came to grief when jostling for position during the narrow concluding sprint.
Speaking after the race, the 26-year-old Victorian said she was pleased to win the stage which many riders regard as one of the standout stages in the women’s calendar.
She said: “I feel really privileged to come away with my first win and first podium here.
“It’s a phenomenal event, I feel like I’ve entered an elite group.
“It seemed like a number of the teams wanted the finish to be from the group.
“There was a group of five that got away and for me that was a bit worrying.
“Girls like Shara Gillow and Gracie Elvin pulled clear and the course wasn’t flat.
“It took a bit of effort to drag them in.
“Once we caught them everybody switched their mindset to a bunch sprint.
“It was a bit chaotic, which is strange because it was probably the least technical finish we have all week.”
Behind Hosking came Alice Barnes, who at the time retook the Adams Best British Riders jersey from her sister Hannah.
Barnes said: “There’s not really any sibling rivalry between us.
“Everybody thinks there should be but we just race the events and try and get the best results we can.
“We’re actually closer now I’m racing on the road than when I was a mountain biker.”
The Women’s Tour was eventually won Katarzyna Niewiadoma in London after the Polish star won the opening event in Northamptonshire before holding her lead throughout.
