The 138 kilometre course in The Netherlands was expected to be settled over the steep climb of the VAMberg, however the third and final cobbled section of the course at 79km to go ultimately proved decisive.

Blaak, riding for the Boels Dolmans team, launched an attack and received the reinforcement of Van der Breggen, Germany’s Trixi Worrack and Australia’s Gracie Elvin.

The strong quartet were able to pull away from the main field, despite the British registered Wiggle-High5 team chasing strongly, having failed to place a rider into the breakaway.

Their efforts proved in vain as they eventually gave up their pursuit, with the lead group having continued to gain valuable seconds and eventually boasted a lead of over two minutes by the summit of the VAMberg.

Ahead of the final kilometre the breakaway continued to work together, but Van der Breggen then opted to make the first move to the finish, with her effort eventually foiled.

Eventually Elvin launched the final sprint to the line, however she was overhauled by Blaak, who was able to claim the victory in a time of three hours 36min and 13sec.

Elvin held on to claim second, while Worrack secured the final spot on the podium with all four members of the break finishing on the same time.

“Gracie went very early and that surprised me a bit,” Blaak told the Boels Dolmans team website, after claiming their fifth win of the season.

“I was able to jump in her wheel and finish the race with the win, because the team has had so much success, I really wanted to finish things off.

“That’s what motivated me.”

Blaak’s team-mate and reigning world champion Lizzie Armitstead was forced to abandon halfway through the race, with the Briton suffering from illness.

As a consequence she lost the WorldTour leader’s jersey, with Van der Breggen taking over after a fifth place at Strade Bianche and fourth here.

The inaugural Women’s WorldTour is due to continue with the one day Trofeo Alfredo Binda race in Italy on March 20.