Phinney Wins Second Consecutive Tour Race

Davis Phinney won his second consecutive race, and Belgium’s Eric Vanderaerden narrowed the lead of Norway’s Dag Otto Lauritzen to less than a minute Saturday during the ninth stage of the Tour de Trump bicycle race in Baltimore.

Phinney, of Boulder, Colo., who won the Arlington Circuit Race Friday--the first victory by an American--came out of a pack with 300 meters remaining to win the 51-mile Baltimore Criterium in 1 hour 42 minutes 35 seconds.

Phinney’s margin of victory was announced as one inch in a photo finish. He and Vanderaerden crossed the line on opposite sides of the street. West German amateur Rolf Aldag was third in the same time as the winner.

“(Vanderaerden) really surged at the end,” said Phinney, who was beaten four times earlier in the race by the Belgian star. “I wasn’t sure if I got it. Now I am sure because I saw the photo.”

Vanderaerden, who has won four stages and has twice finished second, trails Lauritzen by 50 seconds entering today’s final time trial stage in Atlantic City, N.J.

Vanderaerden’s teammate, Henk Lubberding of the Netherlands, is second, 28 seconds back.