Belgium's Tom Boonen won the first road race stage of the Tour of Benelux on Thursday. The former world champion beat Italians Daniele Bennati and Fabio Sabatini in a hectic sprint finish in the Dutch town of Roermond. Spain's Jose Ivan Gutierrez, winner of Wednesday's prologue time trial, retained the overall race lead. It was Boonen's 12th victory in 2008. The 27-year-old Belgian tested positive for cocaine in May but escaped suspension because the drug is not regarded as a banned substance by the International Cycling Union (UCI) when found in out-of-competition tests. However, Boonen was not invited to the Tour of Switzerland or Tour de France and was fined by his Quick Step team. Boonen has already announced he will quit the Tour of Benelux after Sunday's stage to prepare for the three-week Tour of Spain that begins on Aug. 30.