Norway’s Lauritzen Wins First Tour de Trump Title

Dag Otto Lauritzen of Norway benefited from a crucial mistake by Eric Vanderaerden of the Netherlands Sunday during the final stage time trail and won the overall title of the inaugural Tour de Trump bicycle race.

Lauritzen, who held the lead for a week, finished fourth on the 24-mile Atlantic City-Brigantine ocean-front course on the Boardwalk in 52 minutes 19 seconds.

Vanderaerden, considered one of the world’s finest sprinters and time trialists, went off course for an estimated 500 meters and finished 1:44 behind Lauritzen.

Near the halfway point of the out-and-back course, Vanderaerden followed a lead motorcycle straight instead of turning right. According to race officials, motorcycles were not allowed on the course. In previous stages, however, riders followed lead vehicles.

“I just followed the motorcycle,” Vanderaerden said. “I don’t know exactly what happened. But the moment after it happened, I knew that I couldn’t win the race. But I think I would have won without going off course.”

Ron Kiefel of Boulder, Colo., won the final stage in 51:27, with England’s Sean Yates second in 52:11. Amateur John Stenner of Greeley, Colo., was third in 52:14.

The race was not injury free as Greg McNeil of Ojai, Calif., hit a wall two miles from the finish and sustained a concussion.

Lauritzen, who began the day with a 28-second lead over Dutchman Henk Lubberding and 50 seconds over Vanderaerden, said he believed he would have been victorious even if his Dutch rival hadn’t ridden off course.

“I felt confident that I would have won,” said Lauritzen, a former Norwegian policeman and military officer who earned $50,000 for the victory. “I was told I had gained 30 seconds after eight miles.”

Lauritzen, who didn’t win a stage, finished the 10-day race, which began May 5 at Albany, N.Y., with a cumulative time of 33 hours, 22 minutes, 28 seconds. Lubberding finished second overall, 1:54 behind Lauritzen.