Chapter 470: The Coolest Guy on the World Tour?

“Congratulations, Huang! In your rookie season, you’ve successfully won your first career Grand Tour overall title. You also single-handedly claimed seven stage victories, which is an absolutely incredible performance. Please, tell us what you’re thinking and feeling right now!”

On the champion’s podium, after the national anthem concluded, the race reporter began the final interview with Huang Chong, who was clad in the champion’s Red Jersey.

By now, Huang Chong’s emotions had already settled.

He had actually been quite emotional the moment the race ended.

That’s why, after the race, he had shared celebratory hugs with his partner, Chen Junyi, along with the team owner, the sporting director, his teammates, and all the team staff.

After all, this was his first Grand Tour title, and arguably the true start of what could become a legendary career in road cycling.

Reaching this level so quickly was certainly something worth celebrating.

However, during the numerous trips to the podium to accept his awards, he had already mentally rehearsed how to answer the reporter’s questions. So, he simply smiled and replied:

“If I had to describe how I’m feeling right now in one word, it would have to be ‘thrilled.’

“As for the achievements you mentioned, I have to thank my team and my teammates.

“I also have to thank all the fans who support me, my family, and so many others.

“Without their support and help, I couldn’t possibly have achieved such incredible results in such a short amount of time.

“Of course, I also have to thank the Vuelta a España organizing committee and all the staff involved in this event. They provided us with such an excellent racing environment and logistical support.

“Without everyone’s hard work and dedication, neither I nor any of the other riders would have had these moments in the spotlight!”

‘Of course, Huang Chong’s praise for the Vuelta a España organizing committee was just lip service.’

‘To be honest, the Vuelta a España has always been the most shambolic of the three Grand Tours.’

‘Next year’s Vuelta a España would be even worse. Due to certain international political factors, the people of Spain would even take to the streets in protest. This would cause the race—which has nothing to do with politics—to be repeatedly interrupted until it was eventually cut short.’

‘Afterward, there wasn’t even an official awards ceremony; the teams had to organize one themselves.’

‘They were the definition of a Mickey Mouse operation.’

‘This was exactly why Huang Chong had insisted on competing in the Vuelta a España this year.’

‘As someone who had been reborn, he knew what would happen next year, so he definitely wouldn’t be competing in the 2025 season.’

‘After all, with large-scale protests, it would be difficult to guarantee his personal safety, especially as a citizen of China.’

“We appreciate you acknowledging our work. You must be quite the gentleman in your daily life.”

The female race reporter for the Vuelta a España returned the pleasantry with a smile before continuing with her questions:

“You just mentioned the help of your team and teammates. We all know you only joined the Red Bull Bora Team this year, or rather, you only joined the World Tour this year.

“From what we understand about rookie cyclists, it usually takes one or two seasons on the World Tour to adapt to such high-intensity racing.

“But looking back at your performance this season, you seem to have displayed extraordinary strength right from the get-go.

“Your performance improved with every race, and you even defeated the defending champions from the last two years at the Tour de France.

“How did you manage to do it?

“Furthermore, you’ve gone from being a rookie to the team’s Core Commander in no time, and even secured a top-dollar contract extension. Is there a secret to all this?

“And could you offer some guidance for the next generation of cyclists who are hoping to join the World Tour?”

Huang Chong answered frankly:

“There’s no profound secret to achieving good results.

“You just have to be persistent with your riding and approach your daily training with discipline and a scientific mindset. Then, with the professional guidance and adjustments from the team, your strength will continuously grow.

“As for how I adapted so quickly to the intensity of the World Tour, the truth is, I started with less intense races like the Tour of Australia and the UAE Tour, and gradually worked my way up.

“If they had thrown me into the Tour de France from the very beginning, I probably wouldn’t have even been able to finish it.

“In my country, we have an old and wise saying: ‘Haste makes waste.’

“If you truly want to succeed in a professional cycling career, then the day-in, day-out training and the gradual adaptation process are both indispensable.

“As for becoming a team leader and earning a respectable salary, there’s even less of a secret to that.

“Once your own competitive ability meets the team’s standards, the rewards will naturally follow.

“For professional athletes, your performance and your results are the only things that matter, aren’t they?”

‘Of course, Huang Chong wasn’t about to fall for the reporter’s bait.’

‘Then again, the questions were rather simplistic. All he had to do was tell the truth to defuse them.’

‘He knew she was trying to get him to reveal specific training details or some kind of shortcut, something she could use to generate headlines and hype. But Huang Chong had no intention of playing along with her media games.’

‘As the only Professional Cyclist from China competing on the World Tour, his every action, including his interview answers, was being closely watched by over a billion of his countrymen.’

‘He had no desire to mislead his own people.’