Hosking has already shown her ability during the International Cycling Union (UCI) Women’s WorldTour season, having claimed a stage win en route to earning the general classification at the Tour of Chongming Island in May.

The 25-year-old Wiggle High5 rider was looking to be in contention at the close of the 120 kilometres stage from Montagnana to Lendinara, with a bunch sprint expected.

After a tough mountain stage yesterday, the peloton were content to remain together for the majority of the day, making the sprint finish an inevitability.

With her team-mates dominating at the front of the race, Hosking was ideally place to sprint to victory and crossed in a winning time of 2hr 50min and 14sec.

The Italian duo of Marta Tagliaferro and Giorgia Bronzini, who triumphed on stage one, completed the top three on the stage after being awarded the same time as the winner.

Stevens crossed the line safely amongst the peloton to ensure she would retain the overall race lead and keep an American rider in pink on the country’s Independence Day.

The 33-year-old, who broke the UCI Women’s Hour Record earlier this year, is now three seconds clear of Poland’s Katarzyna Niewiadoma.

Her fellow American Megan Guarnier occupies third place in the standings, 16 seconds down.

Tomorrow will see a 99km stage from Costa Volpino to Lovere.