Britain's Lizzie Deignan won the women's cycling race La Course on Saturday, edging a desperate rush for the line by a whisker ahead of defending champion Marianne Vos.

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The one-off single stage event preceded the start of the Tour de France which gets under way later Saturday.

"I'm proud of my victory and feel privileged to be here," said the Trek Segafredo leader.

"The victory was testament to our teamwork and the tactics over the final few kilometres. If you are going to beat Marianne, you need that.

"It's wonderful to be here, it's a big year for women's cycling despite the pandemic," Deignan added. "Next up is the Giro, one race at a time."

The 96km course around Nice embarked with 138 riders but was blown apart on a 5.5km climb in the rolling hills outside Nice.

Deignan, who lives in nearby Monaco, was part of the escape that rushed down a steep, technical descent led by current world champion Annemiek Van Vlueten.

Once the breakaway pack of six were on the flat coastal run into Nice it was a cat-and-mouse affair until Vos attacked and opened a gap large enough to believe in victory.

But Deignan put in an irresistable late dash to finish just centimetres ahead.