Hoogland is also a former world champion in the discipline on home soil in Apeldoorn in 2018, and picked up an Olympic silver in the men's sprint this summer to go with a team sprint gold.

He was victorious by more than a second in Grenchen as he clocked 58.016 seconds, with his compatriot and reigning world champion Sam Ligtlee second with 59.767.

That was The Netherlands' third gold of the championships after wins in the men's and women's team sprint yesterday.

Patryk Rajkowski of Poland rounded off the podium as the only other cyclist to record a time of less than a minute in 59.890.

France's Benjamin Thomas won his second points race and sixth overall European title, cruising to victory with 81 points in the 160-lap race as he lapped the field twice and took maximum points in seven of the 16 sprints.

Iúri Leitão of Portugal took silver with 61 points, while Vlas Shichkin of Russia notched 57 points, 14 clear of three riders on 43.

Denmark's time of 3min 51.382sec helped them to gold in the men's team pursuit, with the hosts Switzerland clocking 3:52.646 in the final.

Rasmus Pedersen contributed to a Danish silver in the event at Tokyo 2020, and was joined in Grenchen by Carl-Frederik Bévort, Tobias Hansen and Matias Malmberg.

The Danes have now won two of the last three men's team pursuit European titles.

Britain edged a close battle for bronze with a time of 3:55.595 to Germany's 3:55.617.

The last final of the second day of action saw Germany add to its Olympic gold with a European success in the women's team pursuit.

Franziska Brauße, Lisa Brennauer and Mieke Kröger featured in both victories, and were joined by Laura Süßemilch in Grenchen.

Germany stormed to gold in 4:13.489, with the Italian team more than seven seconds back in 4:20.923.

The bronze medal went to Ireland as their 4:21.264 saw off the challenge of Britain, who posted 4:24.904.

Tomorrow features finals in the men's scratch race and individual pursuit and the women's sprint and omnium.