Melissa Hoskins (Orica-AIS) won the final stage of this year’s Santos Women’s Tour, after beating Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle-Honda) in a sprint finish in Victoria Park, Adelaide today.
The Orica-AIS team kept full control during the last lap of today’s 70-minute long critérium, to deliver Hoskins to victory in the closing few hundred meters – beating Bronzini and teammate Valentina Scandolara.
“I didn’t have much success sprinting last year. I just needed a win under the belt to get the confidence back. My team backed me all the time, it was more me not being convinced in my own ability. Now I’m back and I’m happy,” said Hoskins.
Race Highlights
A group of 23 riders managed to ride clear during lap 6, only to be reeled back in by the Orica team just eight laps later.
From there, a series of further attacks ensued, but Orica continued to maintain its grip on the race – ultimately setting up Hoskins for victory heading into the final corner.
Meanwhile, her third place finish was enough for Scandolara to hold onto the overall race victory – with Hoskins taking second spot on the podium.
Scandolara won the opening stage, and from there, was able to maintain her six-second lead until the final day of racing.
“It’s been wonderful these past few days and today all these people saw how great Orica-AIS is. It was amazing,” said Scandolara. "
“Once again we kept the jersey and we got the win so I am really really happy.
"We couldn’t break up the bunch but that was still alright because we have a great sprinter in Mel and we played that card controlling the race for the jersey and doing a great lead out during the last lap for Melissa. There was many attacks but I was really confident because my teammates and I were always there.”
Top 15 Finishers
1 Melissa Hoskins (Aus) Orica-AIS 1:05:19
2 Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Wiggle Honda
3 Valentina Scandolara (Ita) Orica-AIS
4 Loren Rowney (Aus) RoXSolt
5 Kimberley Wells (Aus) High Five Dream Team
6 Emily Collins (Nzl) SUVelo Racing 0:00:04
7 Ruth Corset (Aus) Total Rush Hyster 0:00:05
8 Lizzie Williams (Aus) Orica-AIS
9 Julia Kalotas (Aus) 0:00:08
10 Taryn Heather (Aus) Bicycle Superstore
11 Jessica Huston (Aus) Wormall CCS Cycling Team
12 Rebecca Wiasak (Aus) High Five Dream Team
13 Rebecca Mackey (Aus) Wormall CCS Cycling Team
14 Kristy Glover (Aus) Bicycle Superstore
15 Carlee Taylor (Aus) RoXSolt
Final general classification
1 Valentina Scandolara (Ita) Orica-AIS 4:47:54
2 Melissa Hoskins (Aus) Orica-AIS 0:00:06
3 Loren Rowney (Aus) RoXSolt
4 Ruth Corset (Aus) Total Rush Hyster 0:00:11
5 Amanda Spratt (Aus) Orica-AIS 0:00:14
6 Rachel Neylan (Aus) Building Champions Women’s Squad
7 Jenelle Crooks (Aus) Specialized Securitor
8 Miranda Griffiths (Aus) Holden Women’s Cycling Team
9 Lizzie Williams (Aus) Orica-AIS 0:00:17
10 Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Wiggle Honda 0:00:42
11 Carlee Taylor (Aus) RoXSolt 0:01:04
12 Kimberley Wells (Aus) High Five Dream Team 0:01:20
13 Jessica Huston (Aus) Wormall CCS Cycling Team 0:01:28
14 Rebecca Mackey (Aus) Wormall CCS Cycling Team
15 Taryn Heather (Aus) Bicycle Superstore
16 Joanne Hogan (Aus)
17 Allison Rice (Aus ) CBR Women’s Cycling Team
18 Georgia Baker (Aus) High Five Dream Team 0:01:33
19 Nicole Moerig (Aus) Boss Racing Team 0:01:38
20 Verita Stewart (Aus) Specialized Securitor
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