Meraker, Norway. Monday’s final pursuit stage of the summer Tour de Trondelag was a battle between Norway and the Czech Republic where Norway prevailed in an exciting roller-ski sprint finish. Eldar Ronning sprinted to victory on his old stomping grounds in the small town of Meraker near the Swedish border in Jamtland county. Anders Aukland followed in second, but didn’t have a chance in the final stretch. Behind the two Norwegians were the two Czechs, U23 World Champion Martin Jaks and World Cup Overall Champion Lukas Bauer.
“I was of course especially motivated today,” said the winner, racing on courses in Meraker where he studied and trained for over seven years. Ronning started 24 seconds behind leader Lukas Bauer, who won the first stage, a 15K classic race on natural snow at only 800 meters above sea level!
Ronning took off from the start and caught the lead pack after only the first of four 3.5 laps.
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