Dutch rider Charlotte Kool won the opening stage of the RideLondon Classique while Great Britain’s Lizzie Deignan finished third in Colchester.
Team DSM’s Kool, who received a strong lead from former British champion Pfeiffer Georgi, crossed in front of Clara Copponi in the selection race.
The Dutch woman, 24, said it was “the beginning of a dream”.
Deignan, of Trek-Segafredo, only returned to racing in April after the birth of her second child last year.
“It was a great lead up and a dream start,” Kool said.
“I think Pfeiffer once again showed that he is one of the best in the world and he brought me to a good place.”
Appearing for the first time in the Classique, Deignan, 34, fought to split the peloton with 30km to go and only 12 riders remained as Georgi guided his teammate Kool to the pole.
Although he started the sprint, Copponi of FDJ-Suez won with Kool, who completed the 150km race, from Saffron Walden to Colchester, in three hours 56 minutes 35 seconds.
The Classique, the only British race of the UCI Women’s World Tour, continues on Saturday with a 133km stage before Sunday’s 92km finale in London.
Results of Phase 1
1. Charlotte Kool (Ned/Team DSM) 3hrs 56mins 35secs
2. Clara Copponi (Fra/FDJ-Suez) Immediately
3. Lizzie Deignan (GB/Trek-Segafredo) Same time
4. Like Van Der Duin (Down/Canyon-SRAM) At the same time
5. Eleonora Camilla Gasparrini (Yes/UAE Team ADQ) Immediately
General classification after part 1
1. Charlotte Kool (Ned/Team DSM) 3hrs 56mins 23secs
2. Clara Copponi (Fra/FDJ-Suez) +6secs
3. Lizzie Deignan (GB/Trek-Segafredo) +8secs
4. Eleonora Camilla Gasparrini (Yes/UAE Team ADQ) +11secs
5. Mike Van Der Duin (Down/Canyon-SRAM) +12secs