The Team DSM rider clocked in at 3hr 39min 13sec to tighten her grip on the three-day race, as she narrowly finished in front of Italy's Marta Bastianelli and Emma Norsgaard Bjerg of Denmark.

A solo breakaway from Veronica Ewers of the United States was the highlight of the 141 kilometres stage that took riders from Chelmsford to Epping in Essex, but she was caught in the final 30km after a long solo effort.

"It was harder than yesterday," Wiebes said.

"We started quite easy, with one rider in the break, and we just started controlling.

"Then the time went out after the intermediate sprint.

"We controlled it really well as a team, we were all the time in control, and in good positions on the climbs so there was nothing to stress about.

"The first time on the climb it was hard, but I was happy to stay in the right wheels and drive.

"I got lost a bit before the sprint but I found my way and timed it well.

"I really felt the momentum to go today.

"It was a bit uphill, but I also like that so it was a good day on the bike."

Wiebes has a time of 7:09:11 overall in the general classification, putting her 18 seconds clear of Balsamo and 19 ahead of Norsgaard Bjerg.

The action continues tomorrow with the final stage of the three-day race which is set to start and end at Victoria Embankment beside the River Thames in a multi-lap circuit race over 85.3km.