The Dutch rider won all three stages in Norway to triumph at the event 12 months ago, but was forced to settle for fifth place yesterday.

Vos went on the offensive in the closing kilometres of today's 131-kilometre stage from Mysen to Askim.

She jumped clear of the leading group of riders on the final climb of the day with six kilometres left to race.

It prompted a frantic finish, with the CCC-Liv rider seeking to hold off the chasing pack.

Vos achieved that feat by a narrow margin, as she crossed the line in a time of 3 hours 19min 33sec.

Britain's Alice Barnes finished behind the defending champion, with the Canyon-SRAM rider coming second.

Italy's Marta Bastianelli completed the top three.

Vos would move into the overall race lead following the stage win, with the same time as fellow Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes.

Wiebes, yesterday's stage winner, recovered impressively from a crash in the final 20km to finish seventh on the stage.

Australia's Chloe Hosking lies third in the overall standings, three seconds off the race lead.

The penultimate stage of the race will see the peloton ride 125km from Moss to Halden tomorrow.

It will conclude with a climb to Fredriksten fortress.