The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider immediately took a firm grip of the women’s race at Leogang-Salzburgerland as she made an early break.

No one could match Pieterse as she led from start to finish to triumph in 1hr 16min 38sec.

The victory extends Pieterse’s lead at the top of the overall standings having won the opening race of the series in Nové Město na Moravě in the Czech Republic last month.

The Austrian fans got behind Mona Mitterwallner of Cannondale Factory Racing and Laura Stigger of Specialised Factory Racing who battled for the other podium spots but were well behind Pieterse.

Mitterwallner claimed second spot in 1:17:16, with Stigger sealing third position in 1:17:34.

Switzerland’s Lars Forster of Thömus Maxon produced a superb final attack to clinch the men’s title at Leogang-Salzburgerland.

Compatriot and team-mate Mathias Flückiger looked impressive earlier in the third-round race after working his way to the front of a leading group including Germany’s Luca Schwazbauer of Canyon CLLCTV and Czech rider Ondřej Cink of Primaflor Mondraker Genuins Race Team.

But as Flückiger’s bid for glory was ended by a rear puncture, Forster moved up to Schwarzbauer and Cink before timing a devastating attack to perfection.

Forster emerged victorious in 1:17:41, as Schwarzbauer came second in 1:17:55 and Cink was third in 1:18:04.