Christine Majerus wins Women's Tour first stage to take overall lead

Christine Majerus claimed victory in the opening stage of the Aviva Women's Tour in a breakaway sprint in Norwich.

The Luxembourg rider, part of Lizzie Armitstead's Boels-Dolmans squad, just held off the challenge of multiple world champion Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv) after the peloton split towards the end of the 132km stage that started in Southwold.

Majerus caught leader Alison Tetrick (Cylance Pro Cycling) in the closing stages after the American appeared to have an insurmountable advantage going into the final 5km.

Tetrick was eventually the last of eight riders to finish in the front group.

Reigning world champion Armitstead finished first of the British riders to complete the course, coming home in 18th place in a group nine seconds behind the leaders.

Majerus leads the overall standing of the five-day race by just one second thanks to the bonus she picked up for victory, with Vos in second and Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle-High5) six seconds back in third.

Stage 1 result:

1 Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels-Dolmans 3h 24m 48s

2 Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabobank-Liv same time

3 Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Wiggle High5 st

4 Marta Bastianelli (Ita) Ale Cipollini st

5 Lotta Lepisto (Fin) Cervelo-Bigla st

Overall standings:

1 Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels-Dolmans 3h 24m 38s

2 Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabobank-Liv +1s

3 Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Wiggle High5 +6s

4 Leah Kirchmann (Can) Liv-Plantur +7s

5 Marta Bastianelli (Ita) Ale Cipollini +10s