Chapter 161: Chapter 119: God of the Curves in the Last 1KM
Just as Huang Chong was surprised by his deficit at the halfway mark, Lutsenko, who had started two minutes ahead of him, immediately received his specific data.
The head coach of Kazakhstan, following closely behind his country’s star cyclist, began to speak:
"Alexey, the Chinese cyclist who started last has already passed the halfway turn. His average speed and time are nearly identical to yours. It’s unbelievable!"
Lutsenko, who was pushing himself to the limit, didn’t want to hear exclamations. He asked directly:
"What are the times? I need precise data.
What’s the gap between us at the halfway point?
Is he faster, or am I?"
"Oh, thank God, you’re faster than the Chinese cyclist, but only by three seconds—"
The head coach of Kazakhstan continued:
"If you want to secure the gold medal, you’ll probably need to increase your power output on the upcoming climb.
After all, increasing power on a climb is the best way to open up a gap!"
Having competed on the World Tour for so many years, Lutsenko’s race experience was far greater than his coach’s.
However, a cyclist and their coaching team have completely different perspectives during a race.
The coach can see the big picture, while the cyclist can only focus on the gaps to the riders ahead and behind.
He replied directly,
"Got it. I’ll keep increasing my power on the climb!"
...
In front of the television, the living room of the Huang Family was packed with people.
It wasn’t just Huang Lingshan and his parents; his cousins from both his paternal and maternal sides of the family were all there, watching him speed against the wind on the roads of the Qiandao Lake Loop.
Seeing her older cousin fall three seconds behind at the halfway point, Huang Lingshan grew incredibly anxious. She practically shredded the family’s throw pillow as she muttered,
"How is this foreigner so good!
Big Bro is three seconds behind after that turn. It’s so infuriating—
Second Bro, if this keeps up, can Big Bro still make a comeback?"
"To be honest, it’ll be tough!"
The one she called "Second Bro" was Huang Xiaocong, Huang Chong’s younger cousin from his third uncle’s family. He was the second-oldest among their generation of cousins. He replied with a troubled look on his face:
"That foreigner’s name is Lutsenko. He’s a rider for a World Tour Team and competes in Europe year-round. He’s one of the best road cyclists in the world.
I specifically looked up Big Bro’s main competitors yesterday, and this guy is by far the biggest threat.
He’s won a ton of championships racing in Europe.
Now, as expected, it turns out he’s the only one with a faster halfway time than Big Bro."
"Damn it, that’s just unfair! Someone who races in Europe all the time should just stay in Europe. Why come to China to compete?"
Hearing Huang Lingshan’s ridiculous comment, Huang Xiaocong couldn’t help but roll his eyes and snap,
"What are you talking about? He races in Europe because he’s so good he made it to the World Tour, the highest level of professional road cycling.
It’s just like our country’s Yao Ming going to play in the NBA in the United States, right?
Kazakhstan is an Asian country.
So what’s wrong with Lutsenko coming back to compete in the Asian Games and fight for his country?"
"Hmph! Huang Xiaocong, you’re getting cocky, aren’t you? You’ve only been away from home for a little while and you’re already taking an outsider’s side! Whose side are you on, anyway?"
Huang Lingshan threw the pillow at her second bro and grumbled,
"Auntie, this kid is a traitor! Did you see that? He’s defending the foreigner instead of supporting Big Bro! Don’t let him have dinner with us tonight!"
Liang Xiaomei was exasperated by Huang Lingshan’s mischievous and completely unreasonable behavior.
Unlike her, Huang Xiaocong was the most studious and level-headed among the younger generation of the Huang Family.
In fact, he had made the family incredibly proud by passing the college entrance exams earlier this year and getting into Xiamen University. He was now a freshman.
So, Liang Xiaomei put a lot of stock in his words and asked,
"Xiaocong, you just said this foreigner competes in some World Tour in Europe. In your opinion, does that mean your big bro will have to go to Europe to compete in the future, too?"
As soon as his aunt spoke, the quick-witted Huang Xiaocong immediately understood her underlying concern.
As a mother, Liang Xiaomei certainly wanted her son to succeed in his career, but she was also clearly afraid that cycling would take him too far from home.
He thought for a moment, however, and decided to answer truthfully, based on the knowledge he’d started gathering about road cycling ever since his big bro became a Professional Cyclist.
"Auntie, to be honest, based on Big Bro’s achievements this year, and his performance right now on TV, even though he’s currently behind this foreigner—
No, let me rephrase. Even if Big Bro can’t beat this foreigner, the fact that he can go head-to-head with a World Tour Cyclist at his age means he definitely has a shot at joining a World Tour Team.
Of course, there’s a huge gap between us and the European countries when it comes to road cycling.
In any case, the last cyclist from our country who was able to compete in Europe was many, many years ago.
But I think if Big Bro really could join the World Tour and build his career in Europe, that would be incredible.
I think you and Uncle should support Big Bro in following this path all the way!"
Hearing this, Liang Xiaomei immediately exchanged a glance with her quiet and taciturn husband, who had been silently watching the television from amidst the crowd.
’My son might have to go to Europe to compete in the future?’
’That’s so far away—’
After all, she had originally hoped to keep Huang Chong by her side, to have him inherit their family’s small supermarket and live a peaceful, stable life.
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