Chapter 160: Chapter 118: The Strength of the Asian King of Cycling Is No Joke
After the referee finished the five-second countdown, Huang Chong shot straight down from the starting ramp, then rose from his saddle and started rocking his bike, using his anaerobic power to accelerate.
The moment he launched, Dewey, Young Master Zhou, and the others, who had been waiting in the best viewing spots on either side of the starting arch, saw him shoot out like a rocket and immediately began to yell:
"Go for it, Huang Chong! Go, go, go! We’ll be waiting for you at the finish line!!"
A short while later, once Huang Chong had disappeared from view, they quickly relocated, running over to the finish line to await the riders’ return.
Of course, they had all paid a premium for their tickets, which not only gave them excellent viewing spots but also a clear view of the live broadcast on the sports center’s jumbotron.
Unfortunately, in a road cycling ITT, broadcast directors don’t keep the camera focused on a single rider, even if they’re a local favorite.
So for a long time after Huang Chong started, the cameras focused on riders from other countries.
This left Dewey and the others feeling both anxious and frustrated.
Meanwhile, far away in Xianyun County, Huang Lingshan, Huang Chong’s parents, and all of his cousins were gathered in front of the TV at his home, watching him start the race.
The race was being broadcast live from start to finish on CCTV-5, so they were all incredibly excited.
A member of their family was actually on television, and on the national sports channel, no less. What an incredible honor!
However, they too grew frustrated when the broadcast cut away from Huang Chong after only a moment.
However, while the viewers at home couldn’t follow Huang Chong for the entire race, Chen Junyi, who was right behind him in the team car, had a constant view.
After the first time check, she looked at the time gap between Huang Chong and Lutsenko, her brow furrowing. She immediately got on the radio to advise him:
"Huang Chong, after the first time check, your average speed is 49.31 km/h, with a total time of 24 minutes and 49 seconds.
Lutsenko’s average speed is slightly higher than yours at 49.41 km/h, for a total time of 24 minutes and 46 seconds.
That means you’re currently three seconds behind him.
If you want to beat him in the second half, you’re going to have to pick up the pace a bit."
Hearing Chen Junyi’s data over the radio, Huang Chong was utterly shocked.
’On a hilly course like this, riding a time trial bike is already tough. The speed I’m holding now is right at my absolute threshold.’
’On top of that, I’ve already thrown in several anaerobic, out-of-the-saddle attacks on the short, steep climbs. I haven’t held anything back; I’m giving it my all.’
’And yet, after the turnaround point, I’m still three seconds behind him?’
How could he not be shocked!
’This Asian King of Cycling is the real deal.’
’After all, besides Lutsenko and me, my pace is a full 1 minute and 5 seconds faster than the next best rider, Liu Yunyou from Hong Kong!’
’I can’t believe that even with such a massive lead over third place, I’m still only second.’
Just past the turnaround point, there was a short, gentle incline. He quickly got out of the saddle, powering over the climb with an anaerobic burst.
’Just like Chen Junyi said, if I want to win this, my average speed on the way back has to be even higher than on the way out.’
That meant he would need to use more anaerobic bursts of power on the return leg.
But relying on frequent anaerobic efforts was a huge risk.
Each additional burst would dramatically increase his energy consumption.
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