The 19-year-old continued his recent run of stellar form as he claimed victory on the 22.4 kilometres course in 24min 55sec.

Evenepoel continued his emergence as a force in road cycling by adding victory in The Netherlands to his recent win in the Clásica San Sebastián.

Denmark's Kasper Asgreen was second in 25:13, with Italian Edoardo Affini third, a further three seconds slower.

After the race, Evenepoel dedicated his win to Lambrecht, who died in a crash at the Tour de Pologne on Monday (August 5).

"I told everyone in the Belgian team that I would take the stars for the star in the sky," he said. 

"This is not my victory, this is for Bjorg."

Earlier, Dutch rider Ellen van Dijk claimed gold for the host nation in the women's elite time trial.

Van Dijk, 32, was imperious as she won in a time of 28:07, a full 30 seconds ahead of Germany's Lisa Klein in second.

Another Dutch rider, Lucinda Brand, was third in 28:59.

There was better news for Germany in the women's under-23 time trial as Hannah Ludwig won in 29:20.

Russia's Maria Novolodskaya was second in 29:58 and Italy's Elena Pirrone only a second behind in third.

The men's under-23 time trial resulted in a Denmark one-two, won by Johan Price-Pejtersen in 25:53 as he led home team-mate Mikkel Bjerg by more than 11 seconds.

Swiss rider Stefan Bissegger was third in 26:06.

The European Championships are due to continue tomorrow with the junior men's and women's road race, along with the under-23 women's road race.