Eight-time Luxembourg champion Christine Majerus beat three-time world road race champion Marianne Vos to the line in Norwich to claim the first win of the 2016 Aviva Women's Tour.
Majerus, a teammate of Lizzie Armitstead at Boels-Dolmans, crossed the line around two bike lengths ahead of Vos (Rabo-Liv) who, in turn, finished safely ahead of Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle-High5).
Lizzie Armitstead, Women's Tour 2016, stage one
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
American rider Alison Tetrick (Cylance) tried her hand at a lone breakaway with over 20km to go in the stage and almost held on to the finish.
The 31-year-old's lead stood at nearly two minutes at one point, but slowly the peloton reeled her back in, although leaving it to the last minute to finally make the catch.
Tetrick led into the last kilometre but the technical finish in Norwich saw the pack catch her in sight of the line, with the American eventually finishing eighth.
Home favourite Armitstead was Britain's best placed finisher, finishing in 18th, but sits seventh in the general classification thanks to the time bonus she picked up in an intermediate sprint.
Defending champion Lisa Brennauer was one of the many riders caught behind a crash in the final three kilometres, with organisers giving anyone who wasn't dropped by the peloton before that point the same time as the winner.
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Peloton, Women's Tour 2016, stage one
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Aviva Women's Tour stage one, Southwold - Norwich (132km)
1. Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels-Dolmans, 3-24-48
2. Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabo-Liv, st
3. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Wiggle-High5, st
4. Marta Bastianelli (Ita) Alé Cipollini, st
5. Lotta Lepisto (Fin) Cervelo-Bigla, st
6. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Liv-Plantur, st
7. Lucinda Brand (Ned) Rabo-Liv, st
8. Alison Tetrick (USA) Cylance, st
9. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Wiggle-High5, st
10. Floortje Mackaij (Ned) Liv-Plantur, st
Christine Majerus wins Women's Tour 2016, stage one
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Overall standings after stage one
1. Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels-Dolmans, 3-24-48
2. Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabo-Liv, at 1s
3. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Wiggle-High5, at 6s
4. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Liv-Plantur, at 7s
5. Gracie Elvin (Aus) Orica-AIS, st
6. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Boels-Dolmans, at 8s
7. Lizzie Armitstead (GBr) Boels Dolmans, at 9s
8. Marta Bastianelli (Ita) Alé Cipollini, at 10s
9. Lotta Lepisto (Fin) Cervelo-Bigla, st
10. Lucinda Brand (Ned) Rabo-Liv, st
Lizzie Armitstead signs on
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Southwold hosts the start of the Women's Tour 2016, stage one
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Emma Johansson
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Final sprint
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Lizzie Armitstead, best British rider
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Alison Tetrick received the combativity award, Women's Tour 2016, stage one
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
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