Chapter 463: Securing the 6th Crown and Becoming the Best Vice-Captain

“Huang, how are you feeling?”

“If you still have something left in the tank, I want you to attack later.”

“Lipowitz is right behind you. He’s eighth in the general classification, and we want to see if we can get two riders into the top ten.”

Huang Chong was feeling great at that moment.

The difficulty of today’s stage wasn’t too much for him. Although the earlier climbs had taken a toll, he knew he still had enough energy to attack all the way to the end.

So when he heard Aldag’s message, Huang Chong, who was at the very front, immediately turned to look at Lipowitz behind him and said frankly:

“My condition is fine. I can slow down a bit and let Lipowitz catch up. Then I’ll do a lead-out for him and pull him as close to the finish as possible before I attack.”

Aldag was undoubtedly thrilled to hear this response.

It’s rare for a team leader to be willing to work for his deputy.

Only someone like Pogačar from UAE Team, with his absolutely dominant strength, could afford to do something like this occasionally.

But on second thought, the strength Huang Chong had shown at the Vuelta a España was just like his. So, Aldag decisively radioed Lipowitz to communicate the plan.

Lipowitz was also shocked to hear that Huang Chong was willing to do his lead-out.

He had a very proud and self-centered personality. He had originally been resentful of Huang Chong’s sudden appearance, feeling that the leadership position should have been his.

‘I’m the one who should be taking over from Roglič—’

But after competing head-to-head on the course, he knew he really couldn’t out-ride Huang Chong.

Now, learning that Huang Chong was willing to risk losing the stage win in a final sprint just to help him secure his GC ranking, his resentment had to give way to a certain admiration.

‘If our roles were reversed, would I do something like this?’

He knew he definitely wouldn’t.

‘Because my own desire for victory would outweigh any camaraderie with a teammate.’

‘I would never take that kind of risk.’

But he didn’t have time to overthink it. As soon as Huang Chong slowed down, he broke away from the main group and tucked in behind him.

However, just as Huang Chong deliberately slowed down to wait for Lipowitz, Eddie Dunbar seized the opportunity. With 5km left to the finish line, he decisively launched a solo attack.

No one responded to his attack. Or rather, from this position, none of the other GC contenders dared to respond.

On a difficult five-kilometer climb, blowing up early would come at too high a price—the consequences would be unimaginable.

Eddie Dunbar was no threat to the general classification. Even if he won the stage with a solo ride, it wouldn’t really affect anyone’s overall standing.

Seeing the other GC contenders still being so tactically conservative at this point, Huang Chong naturally felt a bit disgusted.

But because he had to break the wind and lead out for Lipowitz, he couldn’t immediately give chase. Dunbar maintained a lead of about 15 seconds until they were just 1.5km from the finish.

He turned and signaled to Lipowitz. Seeing his teammate nod, he didn’t hesitate any longer. He decisively ramped up his power and began a furious pursuit.

Lipowitz got out of the saddle to follow, but the leaders of the other teams clearly couldn’t keep up with him now that he had Huang Chong’s help. The pair quickly opened up a gap.

Dunbar, who was up ahead in the breakaway, was clearly aware of what Huang Chong and Lipowitz were doing. As he was the first to pass under the 1km-to-go arch, he also decisively got out of the saddle, preparing to fight to the very end.

This had cycling fans all over the world on the edge of their seats.

“Huang Chong is still 12 seconds behind Dunbar, and he’s got to bring his teammate along in the chase—”

“There’s only one kilometer left in the race, can he still catch him?!!”

Steve’s excited voice rang out again as he watched the live broadcast:

“800 meters—”

“500 meters—”

“300 meters—”

“200 meters—”

“The answer is yes!!!”

“Huang Chong has caught Dunbar without a shred of doubt!!”

“With only 150 meters left, he’s brought his teammate with him to successfully overtake their rival and launch the final sprint!!!”

“Oh, my God! He instantly shredded Dunbar, successfully led out his teammate, and shot toward the finish line arch like a rocket!!”

“Congratulations to Huang Chong for taking his sixth stage win of this Vuelta a España!!!

At the same time, he also helped his teammate Lipowitz take second place in this final regular stage! This will not only solidify Lipowitz’s advantage on the GC leaderboard, but on the live GC standings, Lipowitz has successfully leapfrogged the seventh-place Ineos leader: C. Rodríguez!!!

Now we just have to see how far behind Lipowitz the sixth-place GC rider, Trek Commander Skjelmose, will cross the line.

If he finishes a minute behind, he’ll also be leapfrogged by Lipowitz for sixth place—

But no matter what, Huang Chong’s performance in this stage was absolutely perfect!!!

He not only secured his sixth stage win, tying the record Pogačar set at the Giro d’Italia, but he also helped his teammate significantly improve his position in the general classification!!!”