Raivis Belohvosciks (Marlux) claimed a slim overall victory in Belgium's Three Days of La Panne Thursday after winning a dramatic final stage time trial of 14km.

Belohvosciks, his team's time trial specialist, forced Sidermec's Gianluca Bortolami into second place in the overall standings by only a second with local hope Peter Van Petegem of the Lotto team taking third at 13 seconds.

The 27-year-old Latvian's ninth career victory came largely thanks to his superiority on the third and final stage.

He came in 13 seconds ahead of German Olaf Pollack, of Gerolsteiner, and 15 ahead of Fassa Bortolo’s Fabian Cancellara to close a 44-second deficit to Bortolami who had led the event since the first stage.

Around fifty riders – including Johann Museeuw – had already pulled out during the race, which is seen as a warm-up for Sunday's Tour of Flanders, the second leg of the World Cup.

Check back soon for results, a stage report from Andrew Hood and photos from Graham Watson.Copyright AFP2003