BRUSSELS, Aug 27, 2008 (AFP) – Spaniard Jose Ivan Gutierrez, riding for Caisse d’Epargne, won the Eneco Tour here as Latvia’s Raivis Belohvoscicks (Saunier Duval) won Wednesday’s final stage, an 18km time-trial around Mechelen.

Retaining the title he won last year, Gutierrez saw off the challenge of Belgium’s Sebastien Rosseler by just 4sec with Australia’s Michael Rogers coming in third 7sec off the pace after the week-long event.

The Spaniard started off by winning the prologue and then bagged overall victory by placing second in the final time-trial to overhaul Germany’s previous leader Andre Greipel.

Gutierrez had to cover the final 800metres after losing his saddle and said he knew he was capable of winning from the off.

“I knew I could get the same result as last year and I set off this time with the same intention,” he told reporters.

“It’s a real feat for a Spaniard to win the Tour of Benelux. We aren’t used to these windswept races.”

Photo by: CorVos Pro