Chapter 474: Unimaginably Difficult Competition

Without any teammates to coordinate with, he could only lie low in the peloton and wait for an opportunity.

If he attacked early, he would never be able to break away. The other riders weren’t fools; they would definitely work together to chase him down.

So, the final outcome was simply impossible to predict.

However, the road race was on the final day of the competition, so there was still plenty of time. He didn’t need to worry about it for now.

The first event he had to tackle was the ITT, scheduled for the opening day of the competition.

For the World Championships ITT, all the world’s top time trialists had naturally been called up by their respective National Teams.

The top cycling nations could even have two entry slots, unlike a country like China, which had been relatively less competitive in previous years and only received one.

On the eve of the competition, Huang Chong traveled to Switzerland to meet up with the National Team. Only then did he have time to look over the start list.

There was nothing to be done about it. After Chen Junyi went to the United Kingdom for graduate school, he no longer had anyone to help him with basic prep work like preparing the event start lists.

Competing in the World Championships was just like the Olympics; his professional team would not—and had no obligation to—provide any logistical support.

The only things they could do were provide his daily training leading up to the event, as well as his race bike and cycling gear.

When Huang Chong and Coach Han met again, they inevitably exchanged pleasantries.

The former felt a warm sense of familiarity, while the latter was filled with immense pride.

As the head coach of the National Team, Coach Han had always been following Huang Chong’s performance. Naturally, he knew immediately that Huang Chong had just won the overall title at the Vuelta a España, and he couldn’t help but praise him.

“Huang Chong, you’re truly incredible. I watched nearly your entire performance at the Vuelta a España from back home. Over three full weeks, your victory was just so decisive. And to win your first Grand Tour overall title with such a huge margin… your strength must have grown quite a bit, hasn’t it? It’s a shame that participating in the Vuelta a España meant you had to miss the post-Olympics awards ceremony.”

Huang Chong certainly regretted not being able to make time for the awards ceremony.

Unfortunately, there was no way around it. The road cycling calendar was too packed, and the trip to the Capital directly conflicted with the race days of the Vuelta a España, so he had no choice but to miss it.

He couldn’t possibly throw away the chance to win his first Grand Tour title just for the sake of being commended.

He replied humbly and sincerely,

“Thank you for your praise and recognition, and thank you, Coach Han, for giving me your full support as I develop in Europe. My achievements today would be impossible without the nation, the General Administration, and the provincial leadership, and their powerful support and deep concern. As a professional athlete, I was developed and trained by my country. Since the leadership values me so highly, trusts me, and has arranged for me to represent the country in the most important international events like the Olympics and the World Championships, I must, of course, give it my all. That is the only way I can live up to the nation’s expectations.”

Although Huang Chong’s words were full of official platitudes, Coach Han knew they were also heartfelt.

He had a deep appreciation and fondness for a junior like this—so upstanding, humble, and polite.

He smiled, patted Huang Chong’s shoulder, and continued his praise.

“You’re absolutely right. The country does indeed have high hopes for you, but at the same time, we will absolutely give you our full support in all areas—such as policy and compensation—so you can pursue your dream. Even though you’re far away in Europe, you can come to me anytime you need anything. As long as it’s a reasonable request, I’ll clear the way for you. You can rest assured of that. Also, regarding your rewards for winning the Olympic title—both the bonus from the General Administration and the one from the provincial bureau—I’ve already arranged for staff to deliver them to your parents. I also had the General Administration review and approve your new athlete classification. From now on, just focus on your career in Europe without any worries.”

Huang Chong was incredibly grateful to hear how much Coach Han had done for him.

Having such a kind and high-ranking official to help him handle these matters would save him a great deal of trouble and wasted time.

Now, he basically just had to stay in touch with Coach Han online.

Otherwise, having to return to the country to handle every little thing would be far too tedious.

And so, he thanked Coach Han once more with great sincerity before steering the conversation back to the World Championships.

“The start list for the Men’s Elite ITT at this year’s World Championships is confirmed. Practically every top time trialist in the world has gathered here. The level of competition is going to be incredibly high.”

Coach Han’s tone was grave as he handed the list to Huang Chong.

Huang Chong took it, glanced over it, and couldn’t help but give a wry, internal smile.

The ITT field was naturally smaller than the road race’s, with only fifty-nine riders.

A total of forty countries and one Olympic Refugee Team were participating.

Powerhouse nations like Belgium, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, and Portugal all sent two riders each.

Slovenia, on the other hand, only had one entry, and that spot was given to Huang Chong’s respected senior teammate, Roglič, who had now recovered from his back injury.

This meant that Pogačar, who had just recently won the Grand Prix de Monte Ria, would not be participating in the World Championships ITT.

Of course, this year’s time trial course was predominantly flat, with only a very short climb in the middle, so it made sense that Pogačar wouldn’t participate.

He wasn’t a top contender on a purely flat time trial course anyway, so he might as well save his energy and focus on the road race on the final day.

The time trialists sent by Belgium were, without a doubt, the god of the ITT, Evenepoel, and the exceptionally strong Campenaerts.

Italy was also a formidable force, with Ganna and Affini competing.

Top time trialists from other nations included McNulty from the United States, Stefan King from Switzerland, Tarling from the United Kingdom, Vine from Australia, Amiel from France, Bjerg from Denmark, Almeida from Portugal, Vacek from Jieke, Foss from Norway, and Derrick Gee from Canada, among others.

Without a doubt, this starting lineup comprised nearly all of the world’s most elite time trial specialists.

Not even the Tour de France could assemble so many top-tier time trialists.

Huang Chong was also one of the favorites to win, but in terms of betting odds, he wasn’t ranked first.

Riders like Evenepoel and Ganna, for instance, had far lower odds of winning than he did.

It was common knowledge that the lower the odds, the greater the perceived strength and probability of winning.

But Huang Chong was quite satisfied to see that his own betting odds for the World Championships ITT placed him in the top five.

Evidently, his two ITT stage victories at the Vuelta a España had earned him recognition from betting companies worldwide.

‘But what will my final ranking be after the race? Will it match the betting companies’ predictions?’

‘I’ll only know once I’ve ridden the race!’