Chapter 477 - 224: Despite Regrets, Still Filling a Historical Void

The great thing about starting and finishing early was that you could release all the pressure that much sooner.

Huang Chong’s average speed of 52 km/h meant he had given it everything he had.

If he were to ride it again, he felt he wouldn’t necessarily be able to improve; in fact, he might even post a worse time.

That’s just how competitive sports are. Your first attempt is often your best.

Besides, his time was definitely competitive.

This was a 46 km ITT, after all. To maintain an average speed of 52 km/h over the entire course was truly incredible.

"Huang Chong, brilliant ride. With the time you’ve set, it won’t be easy for anyone to beat you. Now, all we have to do is wait for the final results."

After Huang Chong finished, he went to a stationary trainer for his cool-down to relax his muscles and flush out the lactic acid. Coach Han came over, handed him some water, and patted him on the shoulder.

Huang Chong nodded, replying as he pedaled on the trainer and drank his water:

"I gave it everything I had. No matter what the final rankings are, I have no regrets."

After a brief cool-down, he could head to the official hot seat to watch the live broadcast and see how the subsequent riders performed.

The hot seat at the World Championships wasn’t like those at World Tour events, which were only for the overall leader.

Riders in second and third on the live leaderboard were also given seats.

The only difference was that first place got a solo armchair, while the other two spots were round, low stools provided by the sponsor, Shimano.

After entering the room, Huang Chong first exchanged friendly greetings with riders from other countries, then sat down on the armchair to watch the rest of the race.

In truth, however, the waiting process was agonizing.

Although the final block of riders—Rogli?, Ganna, and Evenepoel—had all started their runs soon after he finished, it would be at least another 50 minutes before they were done.

Huang Chong himself wasn’t very confident he could hold onto the hot seat until the very end.

However, as the race went on, even as the riders in the final block of five began their runs, no one was able to beat his split times.

Tarling of the British Team came closest, posting a time of 13 minutes and 51 seconds at the first time check.

But he was still 11 seconds behind Huang Chong.

As for the Swiss rider Stefan King, who was just behind Tarling, his form was still good today. But just as in the Vuelta a Espa?a ITT, he no longer had the raw power to truly threaten Huang Chong.

He clocked in at 14 minutes flat after the first time check, already 20 seconds behind Huang Chong.

’Seeing the first split times for these two experts, Huang Chong basically knew neither of them could pose a threat to his final time.’

’He had actually been holding back on the stretch leading to the first time check. His power output in the later sections had been incredibly stable, and his pacing strategy was perfect. It would be impossible for them to overtake him.’

So, the riders he was truly worried about were still the final three to start: his senior teammate, Ganna, and the "God of ITT," Evenepoel.

However, when Rogli? passed through the first time check, Huang Chong was somewhat surprised.

Brother Luo’s time didn’t even crack the top ten on the live leaderboard.

This was clearly because he hadn’t raced in too long and hadn’t managed to get back into top competitive form.

’It seemed my rewriting history and taking his spot in the Vuelta a Espa?a had, after all, indirectly affected Brother Luo.’

With Brother Luo out of contention, the race was down to the final two riders who had yet to pass the first intermediate time check.

None of the riders who had started so far had a better time than him.

If he could hold this position until the end, he would at least secure a medal, even if he didn’t win the championship. This thought gave Huang Chong a huge boost of confidence.

Next, Ganna, the second-to-last rider to start, reached the first intermediate time check.

His time was 13 minutes and 45 seconds.

Five seconds slower than Huang Chong.

This news instantly electrified every cycling fan around the world watching the World Championships—with the notable exception of the fans from Italy.

"Holy shit, Ganna’s five seconds slower than Huang Chong after the first split! Is Huang Chong actually going to take the gold?"

"Whoa, Huang Chong’s time-trialing ability is just unbeatable now. Poor Eve... he’s not going to have the gold medal snatched away by Huang Chong again, just like at the Olympics, is he?"

"It’s still too early to call. Let’s see Beloved Consort’s time at the first split. He’s about to reach it now!"

And just as the fans were focused on Evenepoel’s performance, over at European Sports, Steve and Jimmy were also waiting with bated breath for the "Son of Aerodynamics" to perform.

"Ganna is five seconds behind Huang Chong after the first time check," Steve said. "Considering that, the time Huang Chong set starting so early is just incredible."

Jimmy agreed.

"Yes, based on Huang Chong’s first split, it’s certain that riders like Tarling, Stefan King, and even his own teammate Primo? will have a very hard time beating his overall time.

Huang Chong making the podium is basically a sure thing.

The only real question now is whether Ganna, who isn’t far behind, and Remco, who’s about to hit the first check, can beat his final time."

"Remco has just flown through the first time check! Let’s see what his time is—"

Just as Steve’s excited voice trailed off, Evenepoel’s time flashed on the screen.