Patrick Roest set a track record in the men's 5000m race at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup in Minsk ©Getty Images

The Netherlands claimed five of the available six gold medals on the first day of the International Skating Union (ISU) Speed Skating World Cup in the Belarusian capital. 

Victory first came in the men and women's team sprint races, with the latter topping the podium at Minsk Arena with a time of 1min 29.230sec.

Russia came second in 1:29.950, while Japan took third place with 1:30.086.

The men's team then triumphed in 1:21.163, followed by China in 1:21.322 and Canada in 1:21.680.

There was further Dutch success in the individual events, with Patrick Roest dominating the men's 5000 metre division A race. 

He crossed the line in 6:16.615, setting a new track record. 

Isabelle Weidemann of Canada was only non-Dutch athlete to top the podium on the first day of competition in Minsk ©Getty Images
Isabelle Weidemann of Canada was only non-Dutch athlete to top the podium on the first day of competition in Minsk ©Getty Images

Compatriot Jorrit Bergsma was the silver medallist with 6:22.297, while bronze went to Denis Yuskov of Russia in 6:22.543.

Melissa Wijfje was also the victor in the women's 3000m division B in 4:07.723, while Marcel Bosker won the men's 5000m division B event in 6:22.648.

The only non-Dutch athlete to top the podium was Isabelle Weidemann of Canada in the women's 3000m division A. 

She finished in 4:04.679, beating Carlijn Achtereekte of the Netherlands in 4:05.153 and team mate Ivanie Blondin in 4:06.080.

Competition continues tomorrow with action in the women's 500m and 1500m and men's 1000m.