Twenty-five-year-old Pieters sprinted to victory in Stratford-upon-Avon after a 140 kilometre stage through Warwickshire which began in Atherstone.

The Wiggle High5 rider came home in front of a 27-rider group who had battled torrential showers throughout the stage.

She beat reigning Women's Tour champion Lisa Brennauer and Vos into second and third respectively after a photo finish.

The top 27 were all awarded the same time of 3hr 36min 55sec.

"It was a hard day, a lot of rain and some quite steep hills," said Pieters.

"We did a really good job with the team, we have such a strong team here this week so we can play a lot of cards and I'm really glad that I could finish it today.

"We want to win always, it's the most important thing, and we are so strong with our team.

"We stayed calm and raced well and we got it so I hope we can have more wins this week.”

Vos, who races for Rabo-Liv, now boasts a three second lead over yesterday's stage one winner Christine Majerus of Luxembourg in the overall standings.

Pieters now sits third, seven seconds behind seven-time world champion Vos.

"Today was not as tough as the upcoming days but already we felt it in the legs a little bit, it was a long stage," said Vos, the reigning Olympic road race champion and Women's Tour winner in 2014.

"I think tomorrow it's going to be even more aggressive.

"From tomorrow onwards the longer climbs come in, so I definitely think it can split up the field.”

The race, which forms part of the International Cycling Union Women's WorldTour, continues tomorrow with a 112km stage from Ashbourne to Chesterfield.

There will be five stages in all, concluding on Sunday (June 19).