The Wiggle High5 rider had been forced to settle for third place on the opening stage of the International Cycling Union (UCI) Women’s World Tour race yesterday, when Chinese Taipei’s Ting Ying Huang earned a surprise win with a late burst.

Hosking, though, was expected to be back in contention for victory as another sprint appeared the likely outcome on a predominately flat course, with racing starting and finishing in Xincheng Park.

The technical route was made tougher by a strong wind, with the Dutch-registered Liv-Plantur team looking to take advantage of the conditions by increasing the pace in the peloton in the closing 20 kilometres.

Their effort reduced the field to a group of nearly 40 riders, which included yesterday’s stage winner Huang and the runner-up Leah Kirchmann.

Hosking was first to launch the sprint inside the final kilometre of the race, with the Australian able to hold off her rivals to claim the stage in a time of two hours, 43min and 46sec.

For the second consecutive day Canada’s Kirchmann finished in second place, having been awarded the same time as the victor, with The Netherlands’ Jip Van Den Bos completing the podium.

“The girls were really present at the front of the peloton all day,” Hosking told the Wiggle High5 website afterwards.

“In the final I was sort of just surfing trains between Alé-Cipollini and Liv and just went at the right moment.

“With the downhill sprint I knew that I could start my sprint a bit earlier and it paid off.

“I’m so pleased to get the win today for the team but there’s still one more day to go.”

Having earned bonus seconds in intermediate sprints during the stage, Hosking will hold a four second lead over Kirchmann heading into tomorrow’s 99km finale.

Overnight leader Huang is nine seconds off the pace but lies two clear of Italy’s Annalisa Cucinotta in pursuit of a podium finish.