Armitstead lifted the pace herself with 20 kilometres remaining, but found herself clear of the front group in the process and just continued to stretch out the advantage.

Only Orica-AIS’ Gracie Elvin followed Armitstead’s move, but to the Brit’s frustration was happy to just sit on the wheel.

With a disjointed chase behind, and team-mate Chantal Blaak keeping an eye on proceedings in the bunch, the duo’s advantage had reached 45 seconds before Armitstead dropped the hammer again with ten kilometres remaining to go solo.

And after finishing third in the last two editions of the race, Armitstead ensured she would be the first Brit to win the race since the women’s event was first introduced in 2006 as she stayed comfortably clear of the bunch.

Team-mate Blaak took second, on a remarkable day for the team with fellow Boels-Dolmans rider Evelyn Stevens smashing the women’s UCI Hour Record in Colorado too.

For Armitstead, meanwhile, after questions over the ‘curse of the rainbow jersey’ – male counterpart Peter Sagan is still searching for his first win as world champion after coming second in the men’s Omloop – the Yorkshirewoman ensured a perfect start to a big Olympic year.

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (women’s elite) – result

1) Lizzie Armitstead (GBR) – Boels-Dolmans – 3.23.05hrs
2) Chantal Blaak (NED) – Boels-Dolmans +29”
3) Tiffany Cromwell (AUS) – Canyon-SRAM – ST
4) Leah Kirchmann (CAN) – Liv-Plantur
5) Shelley Olds (USA) – Cylance Pro Cycling
6) Lucinda Brand (NED) – Rabo Liv Women
7) Chloe Hosking (AUS) – Wiggle-High5
8) Susanna Zorzi (ITA) – Lotto-Soudal Ladies
9) Carmen Small (USA) – Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling
10) Emma Johansson (SWE) – Wiggle-High5