Vasil Kiryienka lived up to his status as the big favourites when he won the first ever time trial at the European Games in Baku. Dutchman Stef Clement took silver and Spain's Luis Leon Sanchez Gil claimed bronze

Pre-race favourite Vasil Kiryienka lived up to his billing by winning gold in the men's individual Road Cycling time trial on Thursday afternoon.

The Belarusian, who won May's Giro d'Italia individual time trial, completed the Bilgah Beach course in 59 minutes, 36.03 seconds.

Stef Clement of the Netherlands won silver in 1:00:46.08, while Spain's Luis Leon Sanchez Gil took bronze in 1:01:08.90.

Kiryienka said: "My first impression on the bike was good today. I divided my strength over the sections. In Belarus we have the same kind of roads, so I could prepare very well for this race."

Sanchez Gil said "It was different from the time trial course in the Giro (d'Italia) where there was a small climb at the end. This is a course for strong men."