LIZZIE Armitstead proved she is not superstitious as she started the new season where she left off the last – with a win.

She became the first world champion to win the Belgian classic the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday, riding the final 10 kilometres of the European season opener alone.

The delighted Otley star has been repeatedly asked over the winter about the curse of the prestigious rainbow jersey and she joked “I was number 13 today as well.

“That shows how much I believe in those things. Yeah. I think World Champions aren’t lucky. You work hard and you don’t suddenly stop working next winter because you’re world champion. It gives me extra motivation more than anything.”

The Otley star's win marks the first time a world champion has graced the top step of the podium at the Belgian Classic.

Chantal Blaak gave Boels-Dolmans a second rider on the podium. Coming to the finish with a 22-rider chase group, Blaak edged out Tiffany Cromwell (CANYON//SRAM) for second-place in the reduced bunch sprint.

“That wasn’t the plan,” Armitstead said of her solo effort. “That wasn’t the plan at all. When I was away I was almost hoping they would catch me. I was out there way too long.”

The plan was, as it often is, to race aggressively to force a selection. Armitstead lifted the pace just beyond the Lange Munted – the fifth and final cobbled sector – and found herself in what she called “an accidental breakaway”.

“It wasn’t an attack,” Armitstead insisted. “It was people messing around and watching each other and not watching me, which never happens, so that was really cool. I went to the front of the group and accelerated and somehow ended up on my own.”

Armitstead was joined up the road by Australian Gracie Elvin (ORICA-AIS).The duo stretched out their advantage to 45-seconds but Elvin wasn’t sharing in the work.

“It was really frustrating to me,” said Armitstead. “I thought, well, we still have the numbers to play behind, so I’m not working if you’re not working. We stopped completely in the road and looked really stupid. But there was a slight drag in the road. I attacked Gracie, and I never looked back.”

Behind Armitstead, Rabo-Liv and Wiggle High5 led a disorganised chase group.

Boels-Dolmans never needed to attack again as Armitstead’s solo bid for the line proved successful. Frequently asked about the curse of the rainbow jersey over the winter, Armitstead’s decisive victory proved a powerful response.

“I’m really happy,” said Armitstead. “It’s always nice to start a season with a win. It makes the rest of the wins easier. The morale in the team is high right now. We’re in a really good place. I’m really proud of how the team rode today. I think this is only the start.”