Eddie Dunbar flies Irish flag alone at Europeans as Ryan Mullen out | Sticky Bottle

*Eddie Dunbar in full flight during his test at the European Road Championships in the Netherlands earlier today*

One of Ireland's best hopes for a medal at the European Championships this week, Ryan Mullen, was a no show today in the elite men's TT.

The Irish champion, who has taken bronze at the Europeans in the past, has been suffering from a knee injury.

He was not only forced out of today's TT at the Europeans in the Netherlands, his Trek-Segafredo team has also confirmed he will not ride the BinckBank Tour.

Cycling Ireland made no announcement in advance of today's TT that Mullen would not be riding and his place was not filled with another rider.

*The elite men's podium: Remco Evenepoel (Belgium), Kasper Asgreen (Denmark), Edoardo Affini (Italy)*

In Mullen's unfortunate absence, it fell to Team Ineos rising star Eddie Dunbar to fly the flag for Ireland on the 22.4km course in Alkmaar.

Dunbar finished 19th of the 34 starters; the pan flat course with crosswinds not suited to the Irish climber.

However, he gave a decent account of himself and recorded a time 1:41 down on winner and new European elite TT champion Remco Evenepoel.

The Belgian teenager, who only won Clásica Ciclista San Sebastián last weekend, took an emotional victory for Belgium in a week when compatriot Bjorg Lambrecht was killed in a crash at the Tour de Pologne.

*Eddie Dunbar readies himself to get his TT effort underway in Holland (Photo: Shea Gribbon)*

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Evenepoel went around the course today in a time of 24:55, with an average speed of 53.94km per hour, exceeding 60km per hour on the flat for some sections.

He was 19 seconds up on his Deceuninck-QuickStep Kasper Asgreen, who was riding for Demark. And claiming bronze on the day was Italy's Edoardo Affini a further two seconds back.

In the U23 TT today, Michael O'Loughlin and Ben Healy were in action for Ireland.

O'Loughlin placed 14th of the 51-rider field while Healy was 23rd - two very solid performances.

The European crown was won by 20-year-old Dane Johan Price-Pejtersen in a time of 25:53.

He was 11 seconds up on compatriot Mikkel Bjerg, who won the U23 world title last year and has just signed a three-year contract with UAE Team Emirates.

In the bronze medal position came Swiss 20-year-old Stefan Bissegger, some 13 seconds off the winner.

O'Loughlin was 52 seconds down in 14th while Healy gave away 1:36 to the winner.