Tour de Trump May 13, 1989
D onald Trump is a legend in his own lifetime,” Cycling Weekly wrote on the eve of the inaugural Tour de Trump in 1989. Neither CW nor the riders, seen here in Arlington, Virginia, setting out on the eighth stage of the 10-stage race, could know that he would go on to be the president of the United States 27 years later.
The Tour de Trump came with the man’s characteristic bluster. “The future of the race now seems assured by the enthusiasm of Donald Trump, who had never been to a cycle race before. He was impressed by the huge crowds along much of the route and the high standard of the racing,” CW reported.
Trump said: “I had never seen a race in America; this is the first race I have witnessed personally, although I always watch the Tour de France on television. I am not a cyclist but I might become one now.” We’re fairly sure that never came to pass.
“In two years we hope to make it as good as the Tour de France… People who have been loyal to us in the first year will be treated very well,” he said, before pulling his sponsorship after only the second edition.
The day’s racing pictured here was won by Davis Phinney, father of current EF Education First-drapac rider Taylor Phinney, in a sprint at the end of a 67-mile criterium. The overall was won by Norwegian Dag-otto Lauritzen, riding for the US 7-Eleven team.