After all, this was the first time Huang Chong was competing in one of the five Monuments as his team's main contender, and his first time going head-to-head with road cycling's top rider, Pogačar, and the king of the Classics, van der Poel.
So, before the race even started, the comment sections on the streaming platforms were already completely flooded by cycling fans.
The main topic of discussion, undoubtedly, was whether he had a chance of winning the race.
But without a doubt, unlike previous races where most fans thought he could win, today the fans in China were being quite rational. The general consensus was that securing a third-place podium finish would be a victory in itself.
As for first and second place, even the fans from China couldn't kid themselves. Over ninety percent believed those spots would definitely be taken by Pogačar and van der Poel.
Dewey, over in Hangcheng, was definitely watching the live broadcast today.
