(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Celebrated British cyclist Lizzie Armitstead yesterday edged Australian rival Chloe Hosking in a photo-finish to take the final stage at the Ladies Tour of Qatar where the Boels Dolmans star was crowned champion after the last bunched sprint.
Armitstead made the most of defending champion Kiresten Wild's absence to take stage three on Thursday and stage four yesterday to complete her maiden triumph in Doha ahead of Hosking and Netherland's Ellen Van Dijk.
The 26-year-old Briton, a silver medallist at the London Olympic Games, was roundly cheered after she beat Hosking in a sprint finish in the 85km race that started from Sealine Beach Resort and ended under sunny conditions on the Doha Corniche.
Hosking, who failed to win a stage over the course of four days, shared the two intermediate sprints with Armitstead who also topped the points classification to pocket the silver jersey to go along with her champion's golden jersey.
After her victory at the Commonwealth Games and her UCI World Cup crown last year, the Yorkshire rider was thrilled to add another prestigious title to her career.
"I mean it was a bit of a difficult day. The peleton was so big - there was not enough wind," Armitstead said. "I really have to say 'thank you' to my team-mates. I finish off with a very close victory," she added..
"It's fantastic to start the season with a win. We clicked together as a team. It worked so well which means we will have a great season," the Boels Dolmans rider added.
"Victory here means my team has done well. We really dominated and it is fantastic to start the season like this. It is one of the best organised races of the season. The sun is always shining which makes racing great," Armitstead said.
Hosking, who was seeking her first race win in Qatar, presented a calm exterior.
"It was a really good week. It was my first week racing with my new team. I think we did great to come together as a team," Hosking said.
"I think in the last stage it was bitter-sweet but I am proud how we rode. You know it's a good sign for the season," the Benigo-born said.
"It was a long and hard sprint.I was so close. In the I got beaten by a better ride. She was in really, really good shape. I am not ashamed to have lost to her," Hosking said.
"I think what really let me down was the time bonuses on the second and third stages. I really messed myself around. But like I said the stronger rider won. I finished second overall so it's not bad," the Wiggle-Honda rider said.
After the dominance of Wild these last few years, Armitstead has now become the first British rider to win the Ladies Tour of Qatar title.
Earlier yesterday, the wind had seriously picked up for the final stage of the 7th edition of the Ladies Tour of Qatar as the 83 remaining riders took off from the Sealine Beach Resort for the 85-km stage heading north to the Doha Corniche.
All the pressure at the start was on the shoulders of Armitstead only enjoying an 8'' advantage over her team-mate Van Dijk and 9'' over close rival Hosking.
The first part of the stage was a real struggle for the riders facing a fairly strong head wind (33.2kms covered during the first hour). Despite a few attempts, the pack remained bunched all the way to the first intermediate sprint.
Led out by her Boels Dolmans sqaud, Armitstead proved to be the fastest to the line gaining three precious seconds while Hosking had to settle for second ahead of Emma Johansson.
The Brit had increased her overall lead to 10 seconds. Just after the first battle of the day, China's Xiu Jie Jiang managed to break away.
Like on the very first day of the event on Monday, she enjoyed her moment of glory as the gap reached 55'' at the 47-km mark.
At the first passage on the line of the final circuit her advantage had increased to reach 1'35. Not too concerned by the Chinese escapee, the pack awaited the second crossing of the line to really start reacting.
As expected, Jiang was gobbled up by the hungry pack just before the penultimate lap as Hosking went on to claim maximum points and seconds ahead of her team-mate Julien D'Hoore and Armitstead.
Despite a few breakaway attempts, the pack remained bunched all the way to the final straight.
The expected sprinting battle took place but once again there wasn't much anyone could do to stop Armitstead.
The Briton powered to the line beating Hosking and Italy's Barbara Guarischi. By claiming her second consecutive win, she supplemented her overall lead and claimed her first ever Ladies Tour of Qatar crown.
Beatrice Bartelloni finished as the best young rider of the event while Wiggle Honda claimed the title of best team.
Hosking, who finished 12 seconds adrift of Armitstead, said she was in no mood to give up on the Qatar race win.
"I said that last year (laughs) and the year before. I love coming to Qatar and I will be coming back next year. I always come with the objective to win so hopefully fourth time lucky (laughs)," Hosking said.
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