Sigrid Haugset of Norway won stage 3 of the Tour de France Femmes on Monday, seizing the overall lead and the yellow jersey from Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes in the Jura region.

Haugset, of the Uno-X Mobility team, launched a gutsy solo attack less than halfway into the hilly 156.6-kilometer route between Geneva and Poligny, and held off Belgium's Lotte Kopecky.

Sigrid Haugset Holds Off Lotte Kopecky

Kopecky dropped back in the closing stages after failing to reel in Haugset, crossing the line 1 minute 24 seconds behind as the Norwegian became the first rider from her country to win a Tour de France Femmes stage and wear the yellow jersey.

"I haven't been thinking about it because I never thought it was possible. So standing here, it's unreal," said Haugset, who built her win by attacking on the third of the day's four climbs, the Côte de la Savine.

"When I went, it wasn't many seconds and I thought she would catch me. Then I thought I should just drop down to her... Second is good. But I kept on. The team car was amazing, pushing me.

"I was thinking about all my teammates, everyone cheering from home and so I had to give it my all. I can't believe that Lotte didn't catch me. All done in the Norwegian jersey too, it's fantastic."

Tour de France Femmes Contenders Finish Together

The main favorites for overall victory on August 9 in Nice, such as reigning champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Demi Vollering, all finished together, almost three minutes behind Haugset.

Wiebes, who won the opening two stages, was dropped as soon as the road began to rise on the Col de la Faucille early in the race. She ended more than 20 minutes off the pace.

Tuesday's fourth stage should provide a first real shake-up among the overall contenders, with a 21-kilometer time trial between Gevrey-Chambertin and Dijon.