The race was marking its debut on the top tier International Cycling Union (UCI) Women’s WorldTour calendar, following five previous successful events.

Riders faced tough conditions during the 121-kilometre race, with wind and heavy rain throughout.

Racing began in Geelong, with an early breakaway going clear as the riders headed to the Surf Coast and onto the Great Ocean Road.

The crucial moment of the one-day race came on the steep ascent at Challambra Crescent, which had been billed pre-race as the likely point a winning move could form.

A group containing last year’s winner, Cuba’s Arlenis Sierra, and third-place finisher Amanda Spratt of Australia moved clear of the peloton on the climb.

Lippert launched a solo move from the breakaway inside the final seven kilometres of the race.

The German pushed clear as she approached the finish in Geelong, where she crossed the line in a winning time of 3 hours 17min and 46sec.

Sierra gave a strong defence of her title as the Cuban sprinted to second place, crossing the line 15 seconds down on the winner.

The podium was completed by 2016 champion Spratt, who finished third for the second straight year.

Attention will now turn to tomorrow’s men’s race, which will be the second event of the UCI WorldTour season.

Italy’s Elia Viviani won last year’s race in a sprint finish, with home favourite Caleb Ewan forced to settle for second place.

Both sprinters are among the field for the event.

The men’s race will be held over 171km, with the field faced with four climbs of Challambra Crescent.