Brazilian Luciano Pagliarini (Saunier Duval-Prodir) won the fifth stage of the Eneco Tour of Benelux over 180km from Terneuzen to Nieuwegein on Monday.

Pagliarini edged out Britain's Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile) and Australia's Graeme Brown (Rabobank) in a sprint finish.

"This is the best win of my life. My first bunch of flowers in a ProTour race," said an elated Pagliarini, who dedicated the win to his newborn daughter.

"This week has been fantastic for me. I've waited for such a long time for a win like this. These last months were really difficult."

Belgium's Nick Nuyens (Cofidis) retained the leader's red jersey.

"There's going to be a great fight between the favorites for the overall victory. It's going to be tough but I believe in my ability," said Nuyens.

Three men, Japan's Fumiyuki Beppu (Discovery Channel), Frenchman Pierre Drancourt (Bouygues Telecom) and Dutchman Matthe Pronk (Unibet.com), took part in a breakaway that began at the first kilometer and lasted until the 177th before being caught. That left it up to the sprinters to battle for the victory.

Tuesday's sixth and penultimate stage takes the peloton from Beek to Landgraaf and includes many of the roads used in the classic Amstel Gold Race.