Australian Brodie Chapman (KordaMentha Real Estate-Australia) has held on to win the first women's Herald Sun Tour, despite a storming ride from Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott).
The Dutch star won the 1.6km time trial second stage at Melbourne's Southbank in 2min 09.62sec.
Second on the stage was Katrin Garfoot (KordaMentha Real Estate Australia) while New Zealand time trial champion Georgia Williams (Mitchelton-SCOTT) rounded out the stage podium.
Chapman had a 12-second lead over van Vleuten after winning stage one and her 17th place ride at 2min 16sec was enough to protect her advantage for the overall title. Chloe Hosking (Ale-Cipollini) took third overall.
"It does feel good; I'm glad I could pull it through for the team," Chapman said. "My prerogative was just to stay tidy, keep it safe and have a good time out there.
"I'm really proud to be the first woman to win. It's very satisfying to have your hard work and mental determination pay off."
Wednesday was also a big day for van Vleuten, who raced for the first time wearing the rainbow stripes of the world time trial champion.
"For me, today wasn't to win the Tour, yesterday it was, but today, it was to win the time trial," she said.
"It makes me proud and reminds me again of becoming world champion. To win in the world champion's jersey, in Australia, makes me very proud."
Chapman's impressive ride at the nationals put her on van Vleuten's radar and the Dutch star said she deserved the overall win.
"She was really strong," van Vleuten said of Chapman's stage-one solo break. "It's not only about her power - she's also a pretty smart cyclist."
The Dutch rider will return to Europe after a three-month trip to Australia and New Zealand.
She races for Australian team Mitchelton-Scott and has ridden 5000km in two months as preparation for the season ahead.
Apart from some motorists, van Vleuten loves everything about Australia.
"If you asked me now if they'd offer me a job (in Australia) after I ended my career, I might accept it," she said.
(R-L) Chloe Hosking (Alé–Cipollini), Brodie Chapman (KordaMentha Real Estate Australia)and Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott). Source: Con Chronis
