The 141 kilometre mountain stage from Isernia offered an ideal chance for a breakaway to move clear.

Dani King was the first to move clear of the main field, but the Briton was eventually reeled in by the main field.

Her capture proved to be the springboard for a 12-rider attack, which contained Cyclance Cycling's Gutierrez, Italy’s Soraya Paladin, Poland’s Eugenia Bujak and Alexis Ryan of the United States.

They were able to establish a near two minute advantage over the field as they reached the top of the Montemiletto climb.

The peloton was unable to reel in the move in the closing kilometres, with Spanish road champion Gutierrez taking the victory in 3hr, 43min and 16sec.

She was followed across the line ahead of Paladin, with Bujak rounding off the top three.

The top of the general classification was unaffected by the stage, with Anna van der Breggen remaining in the leader’s jersey.

The Dutchwoman, riding for Boels–Dolmans, is 63 seconds clear overall of Italy's Elisa Longo-Borghini.

Annemiek van Vleuten is third, with the Dutch rider 1:39 down.

The International Cycling Union Women’s WorldTour race will continue tomorrow with a 141km route from Baronissi to Centola.