Brazilian Luciano Pagliarini prevailed in a bunch sprint to win stage five of the Tour of Benelux on Monday.

The Saunier Duval-Prodir rider crossed the line just ahead of Briton Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile) after a 185-km journey from Terneuzen to Nieuwegein. Third was Australian Graeme Brown (Rabobank).

Draped in the Brazilian flag when he stepped on to the podium, Pagliarini dedicated the biggest victory of his career to his baby daughter Aurora.

"She was born 10 days ago and I could only see her for an hour before I had to go to race in Germany and then here," Pagliarini, 29, said.

"This win goes to her and my wife - they've given me the strength to race well."

Belgian Nick Nuyens maintained his 10-second lead over Dutchman Thomas Dekker in the overall standings. Spaniard Jose Ivan Gutierrez was third, a further four seconds adrift.

"I'll be on the attack on Tuesday. I've got to do something before Wednesday's time trial if I want to win," said Cofidis rider Nuyens.

"The time trial specialists are too close behind for me to leave things as they are."

The race ends on Wednesday with a 29.6km time trial at Sittard-Geleen.

Reuters