Although his pursuit was slower than the pace Huang Chong maintained while recovering—a steady 360W for an average speed of nearly 28 km/h—he had at least managed to chase out of the saddle for a hard 200 meters on the final steep climb before being forced to relent.
Having pushed himself that far, and noticing he had also pulled away from the two Longjiang riders behind him, Liu Zhicheng, though young, was remarkably mature. He made the decisive choice to ease back to his Zone 4 threshold pace.
He knew, rationally, that it was better to let Huang Chong go than to completely burn himself out.
He had to use the gap he'd just created over the last 200 meters to secure a silver medal. That was the smart play.
In the referee car, they watched Huang Chong launch his third anaerobic attack. On a 7% grade, with unstoppable force, he instantly blew the field apart.
Coach Han, who had been resting against the back of his seat, immediately shot bolt upright.
