The FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope rider beat Italy's Sofia Bertizzolo and Elena Cecchini in a bunch sprint in the International Cycling Union (UCI) Women's World Tour event after multiple riders, including Dutch pre-stage favourite Lorena Wiebes, crashed on the final corner with just 300 metres to go.

The 23-year-old Copponi finished the 142.1 kilometres route from Colchester to Bury St. Edmunds in 3 hours 40min 15sec.

The stage had to be paused for over 50 minutes with 35km remaining due to an out-of-race road accident involving a police motorcyclist and another vehicle in front of the peloton.

The leader at the time, Danielle Shrosbree of Britain, and the peloton were brought to a halt to allow emergency vehicles to pass and attend an "incident ahead of the race route," the race organisers confirmed.

The stoppage saw riders quickly climb into team cars and don coats in an attempt to keep warm on a dreary day.

The competition was eventually restarted with a 1.5km neutralised roll out before racing resumed proper with Shrosbee given the one-minute advantage she had before the stoppage.

However, the 27-year-old riding for CAMS-BASSO was reeled in with 15km remaining.

Points won in sprint stages during the race saw Cecchini drop to fourth and Barnes to ninth in the overall standings, while Dutch rider Maike van der Duin move up to third in the general classification after winning the sprint jersey.

Stage two is set to take place tomorrow with a 91.8km route that is scheduled to start and finish in Harlow.

The Women's Tour is the 14th event in this season's UCI Women's World Tour and the second in Britain following last month's RideLondon Classique.