Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten won the women's road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire ©UCI

The Netherlands' Annemiek van Vleuten was the clear winner in the women's road race at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Road World Championships in Yorkshire.

Van Vleuten, the 2018 UCI Women's World Tour title holder, dominated the 150 kilometres route from Bradford to Harrogate. 

She built up a strong lead to be certain of victory with 40km to go, crossing the line in 4 hours 06min 05sec to triumph.

It was her third world title having won the time trial at Bergen in 2017 and Innsbruck last year. 

The 36-year-old van Vleuten is the third consecutive Dutch winner of the race.

Chantal Blaak won in 2017 and Anna van der Breggen crossed the line first in 2018. 

Van der Breggen, the Olympic champion, was van Vleuten's nearest opponent in Yorkshire but still finished was more than two minutes behind in 4:08:20. 

Amanda Spratt of Australia took the bronze medal with a time of 4:08:33. 

The week-long Championships are due to finish tomorrow with the men's road race.

The 280km course is set to begin in Leeds and finish in Harrogate. 

Alejandro Valverde of Spain will be aiming to retain his title.