With the race entering its final 10 kilometers, after a brief anaerobic acceleration, Huang Chong faced a 5-kilometer downhill stretch at -2.5% on the return route.
Seizing the opportunity, he sped along the road while taking a cycling bottle from the frame. Keeping his upper body completely still and maintaining an extremely aerodynamic posture, he began drinking the electrolyte sports drink the system had rewarded him with earlier, replenishing the energy he had lost during the anaerobic sprint.
As part of the competing teams, the coaches and athletes watching intently from the logistics department could all see him drinking through the live motorcycle camera feed. Baffled expressions appeared on their faces.
Compared with the other riders, every technical detail Huang Chong displayed seemed more advanced and professional.
"Why is every movement from this rider named Huang Chong so professional? Does he compete in both mountain biking and road cycling?"
"I think so. Look at him taking that U-turn—he actually dared to drift through it to chase maximum speed. That takes some nerve!"
"Exactly. It's raining, and the road conditions are this bad, yet he isn't worried at all about making a mistake and crashing hard. That shows absolute confidence in his cornering skills."
"Impressive. Truly impressive!"
Unlike the coaches, who were seriously analyzing Huang Chong's technique, the competing riders were far more blunt:
"Damn, this guy is insane. Not only is he showing off by drifting through corners, look at him drinking—he's even keeping an aerodynamic position just to reduce that tiny bit of wind resistance!"
"This guy really obsesses over every detail. He's practically turned himself into a Tour de France rider!"
"This is the first time I've seen a rider drink like this during an ITT. I just grab my bottle, sit upright, and drink—"
"Now I see