World champion Lizzie Armitstead continued her dominant start to the season with victory in the women's Tour of Flanders today.
The Otley rider beat Emma Johansson of Sweden by less than half a wheel's length after a nervous sprint finish, making no move to celebrate until the result was confirmed as it was so tight.
The pair had broken free of the bunch on the approach to the Paterberg, the final climb of the 141.2km race, and held a nine-second lead as they began the final kilometre of the race.
Wiggle High5's Johansson hung on Armitstead's wheel as long as possible before launching her sprint, but the world champion responded to snatch victory for her Boels-Dolmans team.
The win was Armitstead's fourth of the season as the 27-year-old has dispelled the so-called curse of the rainbow jersey, winning at Omloop het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche and Trofeo Binda before adding the coveted Flanders title to the list.
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