The 34-year-old, who competes for the Orica-Scott team, finished the course in a time of 5min 47sec.

Van Vleuten finished four seconds ahead of compatriot Ellen van Dijk, who rides for Sunweb, as she got her campaign at the penultimate event on the International Cycling Union (UCI) Women’s WorldTour off to a flying start.

Germany's Lisa Brennauer prevented a Dutch clean sweep of the top three as she was the third quickest, completing her lap 14 seconds quicker than current Women's WorldTour overall leader Anna van der Breggen.

The Olympic road racing champion had to settle for fourth place but still ended comfortably in front of WM2 competitor Katarzyna Niewiadoma, the Polish rider who is the closest competitor to Van Der Breggen in the race for the title.

Niewiadoma's chances of overhauling the Dutch leader suffered a blow as she could only manage 19th.

It means she will start tomorrow's second stage, a 132.8km journey from Eibergen to Arnhem, 26 seconds behind Van Der Breggen.

Today's stage also did not go exactly to plan for Britain's Lizzie Deignan, who was ninth fastest.

"I was afraid I was not yet explosive enough to win here, but I I'm clearly better than I'd dared to dream," said Van Vleuten.

"It would not have been the end of the world if I did not win this, but it's really fun that I manage to win for my own audience."

On the third day there is due to be a 16km time trial, and on day four the riders proceed from Gennep to Weert.

On the two closing days on Saturday and Sunday (September 2 and 3), the Limburg hill countryside will provide a spectacular setting for finishes at Vaals and Sittard.