The 29-year-old, who rides for the Canyon-Sram team, moved into the points classification lead after emerging victorious in a sprint finish following a 121.4 kilometres journey from Gennep to Weert.

Brennauer, the 2014 world time trial champion, timed her sprint for the line to perfect to take the green jersey from Dutch competitor Ellen van Dijk.

She finished the stage in a time of 2hr 57min 42sec.

Australia's Chloe Hosking of the Ale Cipollini team came through to secure second place, while France's Roxane Fournier of Team Francaise des Jeux was third.

Kirsten Wild of The Netherlands, winner of the second stage of the event on Wednesday (August 30), did enough for fourth.

The result saw Brennauer surge to the summit of the points classification on 69 points.

Annemiek van Vleuten, who remains the overall Ladies Tour of Holland leader, is second on 57 and has edged ahead of Van Dijk, who is third on 52 points.

"I absolutely surprised myself that I can beat quick women like Chloe Hosking and Kirsten Wild," Brennauer told Eurosport.

"My team-mates set me up perfectly, so I could get the sprint exactly where I wanted. 

"Chloe was going well, but she was unable to pass me by. 

"On the line I knew I had won."

Van Vleuten managed to maintain her lead at the summit of the overall standings at the event, the penultimate leg of the International Cycling Union Women's WorldTour.

The Orica-Scott rider, who triumphed in yesterday's time trial in Roosendaal, has a nine second advantage in front of Van Dijk, with Brennauer 30 seconds adrift of Van Vleuten.

Tomorrow's fifth stage will see the riders tackle a 141.8km route from Stramproy to Vaals.