Like a clock ticking, almost.
I have a feeling it’s from a European composer like Legrand (whom I associate with The Thomas Crown Affair and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg), but I haven’t been able to find it on any of his soundtracks so far.
I know how you must feel with this earworm! I’ve been dealing with one for several days now and no progress to speak of.
Just on a whim, when you mentioned European composers, I thought of ‘Aujourd’hui C’est Toi’ from A Man and A Woman by Francis Lai, which took me a long time to locate at YouTube a few months ago. It may have zero connection with yours, but I finally cured mine at the time!
As soon as I can think of a way to present my current earworm, I may post to that effect. But I can only hope something about this piece will help. It’s great “driving music” in any case. 
Found it found it found it!
Chi Mai Ennio Morricone. Used in a couple of movies and TV series.
YES, YES, YES, YES!!! THAT’S IT!!! 
Good old Ennio!!! Should have looked him up before anyone else!!!
Well done, lad! Jolly well done!
WOOT called it as being Morricone!!!
I did look over Morricone’s list of titles, but none of the ones I recognized fitted my description, and none of the ones I didn’t recognize jogged my memory. At one time I did know the title; it just escaped me completely on this occasion.