The Dutch led home Germany and Italy in second and third respectively at the event in Alkmaar, which precedes the mixed relay debuting at the International Cycling Union World Championships in Harrogate in Britain next month. 

Teams of six riders from the eight competing nations - three male, three female - took on the 22.5 kilometre course, first the men followed by the women, with the combined times giving the final standings.

The Dutch won in a combined time of 52min 49sec as the trio of Koen Bouwman, Bauke Mollema and Ramon Sinkeldam were followed by Amy Pieters, Rijanne Markus and Floortje Mackaij in a dominant performance.

Following the men's section, Netherlands were already 14 seconds ahead of Italy, with Germany 23 seconds back on the leaders, and the Dutch women comfortably maintained the advantage.

Germany finished 14 seconds behind, with Italy a further 70 seconds back, while Belgium, France, Russia, Czech Republic and Slovakia were the other nations to take part.

The relay was the first senior event of the UEC European Road Cycling Championships, due to conclude on Sunday (August 11).

Earlier, Netherlands also won the first title on offer at the Championships in the women's junior time trial, Shirin Van Anrooij claiming gold in front of the home crowd.

Van Anrooij won the 22km race by just two seconds, completing the course in 30:18, with Russian Aigul Gareeva second in 30:20 while Wilma Olausson was third in 30:42.

Andrea Piccolo of Italy triumphed in the men's junior time trial in a time of 26:52.

Dutch riders completed the podium, Lars Boven was second in 27:04 and Enzo Leijnse third in 27:06.

Tomorrow is due to see the men's and women's elite and under-23 time trial events.