Cycling: Racing into the Headwind

Chapter 155: Chapter 117: The Arrival of Asia’s Strongest Cyclist, the Two-Time Asian Games ITT Champion

The Asian Games, Asia’s largest multi-sport event, are also held only once every four years.

This year’s Hangcheng Asian Games would feature a total of 45 participating countries and regions, with the number of athletes reaching a staggering 12,500.

Its influence is arguably second only to the Olympic Games, so its importance goes without saying.

After Huang Chong returned to his high-altitude training, his regimen included indoor trainer sessions and long-distance outdoor road group rides. But after Coach Han sent him the roster for the Asian Games road cycling events, another item was added to his high-altitude training program: TT bike threshold riding.

The road cycling events at these Asian Games were divided into four sub-events: the Men’s Road Race and ITT, and the Women’s Road Race and ITT.

The competition was scheduled for October 3rd to 5th.

On the first day of competition, the men’s and women’s ITT events would be held.

The women’s event was in the morning, followed by the men’s event starting at 14:00 in the afternoon.

October 4th was the Women’s Road Race.

October 5th was the Men’s Road Race.

Huang Chong was very familiar with the race location: the Qiandao Lake Loop in Chun’an County.

The route was identical to the one used for the National Road Cycling Championships held in June of that year.

Huang Chong had competed in the National Road Cycling Championships for two consecutive years, sweeping all four individual gold medals. Following that, he continued his winning streak in domestic amateur and professional leagues, as well as the Tour of Qinghai Lake. Now considered China’s number one Road Cyclist, it was only natural that Coach Han pinned his hopes for a medal on him.

Therefore, in addition to teaming up with Lü Xianjing, Niu Yikui, and his teammate Ma Binyan for the road race, he was also slated to compete in the ITT, an event for which there was only one entry slot.

As the competition drew near, Chen Junyi sent over the participant lists for the various national cycling teams. Huang Chong, who had been training at high altitude for three and a half months, immediately looked for Kazakhstan’s roster.

As he expected, their lineup was slightly different from the one at the Asian Championships.

Alexey Lutsenko, hailed as Asia’s strongest cyclist, was on the list.

"Looks like they’re a little mad after losing a guaranteed spot for the Paris Olympic Games at the Asian Championships!"

After reviewing the lists of all his opponents and noticing that most countries’ lineups were largely unchanged from the Asian Championships, Huang Chong had a good grasp of the situation and joked to Chen Junyi.

"Actually, even if they hadn’t lost that spot at the Asian Championships, Lutsenko would have come for sure."

"I’ve looked up his competition history with their national team; he participated in the last two Asian Games."

"A major competition like this is just too important. Kazakhstan is the dominant force in this sport throughout all of Asia. They’ll definitely want to sweep the medals in this event."

Huang Chong deeply agreed with Chen Junyi’s analysis.

But in truth, besides being a powerhouse in road cycling, Kazakhstan was also very strong in women’s tennis.

They had naturalized the Russian-born player Elena Rybakina, a Wimbledon champion.

’However, based on my memories from my past life, it seems she won’t be representing Kazakhstan at this year’s Asian Games.’

"Looking at it now, the Asian Games are going to be much harder than the Asian Championships."

"Lutsenko is a full eight years older than me, 31 this year, but for a Road Cyclist, that age is just the beginning of the downward slope."

"Plus, his three teammates are also top-tier riders. It’s going to be incredibly difficult for me to compete for the championship!"

"Success depends on human effort. As long as you give it your all, you can have a clear conscience."

Chen Junyi said comfortingly,

"You’ve been preparing at high altitude for three and a half months, without taking a single full day off to rest. Is there a single mountain or pass in all of Qinghai that you haven’t climbed?"

"Not to mention you went to an even higher-altitude snow zone to train for over half a month."

"That’s a place with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters, where most people get terribly winded just from walking a little faster, yet you were doing high-intensity training up there."

"Honestly, even though I was with you the whole time, I really can’t imagine how you managed to persevere."

"After pouring so much sweat into your preparations, as long as you can perform to your full potential in the race, I think you’ll have fulfilled your duty to yourself and to the country, regardless of whether you win the championship or not."

"After all, you have to realize that without you, our country wouldn’t even be in contention for a medal in this event. So please, don’t put too much pressure on yourself before the race."

Hearing Chen Junyi’s words, Huang Chong truly felt much better. He nodded and said,

"Yeah, I’ll do my best to adjust my mindset and not put too much pressure on myself!"

However, just as Chen Junyi finished her pep talk and they were preparing to pack their bags and leave the high-altitude training base, a phone call made Huang Chong’s newly relaxed mood tense up all over again.

He frowned at the name on the caller ID but answered it anyway.

"What are you calling me for? Don’t you have class?!"

"Bro!!! You finally answered!! Every time I call, you’re not around! Just how busy are you?!"

"Also, it’s National Day, okay?! I have the day off!!!"

Huang Lingshan’s personality was like that of a hyperactive puppy; she started off with a noisy, crackling burst of energy.

Huang Chong couldn’t help but furrow his brow and quickly asked,

"Alright, alright, you still haven’t said what you called me for."

"What else could it be about?! The Hangcheng Asian Games are happening, obviously! Aren’t you the national champion? The Asian Games have road cycling events, right? Are you competing or not?"

"I wanted to watch you race live on TV!!"