Hoskins claims first scalp for Orica GreenEdge

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Melissa Hoskins (Orica GreenEdge-AIS) won the opening stage of the three-day Tour of Chongming Island in a fast, field sprint finale. The Australian outkicked compatriot Rochelle Gilmore (Faren Honda Team) and Monia Baccaille (MCipollini Giambenini) in a finishing sprint marred by a crash in sight of the finish.

With bonuses picked up throughout the stage, Hoskins leads general classification by seven seconds over Baccaille while Gilmore holds third overall at nine seconds.

Hoskins was prominent in the two intermediate sprints in the 73.4km stage, winning the first and taking second in the next sprint.

"The intermediate sprints offered points and time bonuses," said Hoskins on her team website. "Just as importantly, they gave me a chance to see who was sprinting and get some idea as to where I was for the finish. I was a bit rusty at the start. The intermediate sprints reminded my body what quick speed feels like. They were the dress rehearsal for the finish."

After several attacks were neutralised, the peloton's various lead-out trains prepared for the finale.

"The girls positioned me out of the wind," explained Hoskins. "They protected me extremely well. Two kilometers out, they pushed it to front. Judith [Arndt] took the final left-hand turn and then handed things over to Jessie [MacLean]. Judith had taken us to the bottom of a small bridge, and Jessie took us over the bridge.

"Jessie gave a final push on the bridge, and then a MCipollini Giambenini attacked," Hoskins continued. "I sat on her wheel for about 250 meters before stepping out of her draft with 150 meters to go. Once I was out front, I was able to hold on for the win."

The Tour of Chongming Island continues with stage 2 on Thursday in Chongxi, the longest stage at 118.4km.