The 131 kilometres race featured a 37km lap towards the finish at Cittiglio, where the riders then took on four 18km circuits.

The first serious attack came on the penultimate lap of the finishing circuit, with Belarus’ Alena Amialiusik, Spain’s Ane Santesteban and Britain’s Elinor Barker breaking away from the peloton.

Wiggle High5’s Barker eventually dropped back, with American Megan Guarnier and Poland’s Małgorzata Jasinska moving across to create a lead group of four.

They were chased down by the remnants of the peloton as the final lap got underway.

Niewiadoma launched a solo attack on the final ascent of the Orino climb before remaining clear on the descent.

The Canyon-SRAM rider held off a chasing group to claim victory in a time of 3 hours 32min 54sec.

Having earned four WorldTour podium finishes last year, the Polish rider celebrated a maiden WorldTour win.

She also assumed the overall Women’s WorldTour lead with three races of the season gone.

World champion Chantal Blaak finished 22 seconds behind the winner to finished in second place.

She was followed by fellow Dutch rider Marianne Vos, who ended on the same time.

The Women’s WorldTour is due to continue with the Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde race on Thursday (March 22) in Belgium.

The men’s WorldTour is due to resume tomorrow when the seven stage Volta Ciclista a Catalunya gets underway in Spain.

Michelton-Scott are expected to be one of the strongest teams at a race suited for climbers.

They have included British brothers Adam and Simon Yates, as well as Colombia’s Esteban Chaves.

Spain’s Alejandro Valverde and Colombia’s Nairo Quintana will head Movistar’s challenge.

Racing is scheduled to begin tomorrow with a 152km stage in Calella.