Katarzyna Niewiadoma soloed to victory on the opening stage of the OVO Energy Women's Tour to seize control of the battle for overall victory.
The 22-year-old Pole, among the pre-race favourites, broke clear with a little under 50 kilometres remaining of the opening 147.5km stage from Daventry to Kettering, and her rivals left it too late to respond.
It was a first win of the year for Niewiadoma, the Polish national champion, who is here as race leader for the WM3 team despite the inclusion in the squad of Marianne Vos - winner of the inaugural Women's Tour in 2014.
It was Vos who crossed the line in second place one minute and 46 seconds down, leading in the pack that contained 2016 winner Lizzie Deignan (Boels-Dolmans) and the rest of the general classification hopefuls.
Alice Barnes (Drops) was the highest British finisher in seventh place, while French rider Audrey Cordon-Ragot of British team Wiggle High5 took the first Queen of the Mountains jersey by crossing the two main climbs of the day in first place.
After making her move Niewiadoma quickly pulled out a commanding lead, and it was allowed to grow to more than three minutes before the peloton got organised in their chase, with Boels-Dolmans taking the initiative.
But they were running out of road and, when Niewiadoma passed the 10km to go marker with more than two minutes in hand, it was clear where victory was going.
Friday's stage two, a 144km stage around Stoke-on-Trent, contains a number of testing climbs and should be another stage to help shape the general classification battle before the sprinters can hope to have their chance in Leamington Spa on Saturday.
The race will conclude on Sunday with a stage in London.
