He had left his home and crossed the ocean to make his way in Europe. From the very beginning, his intention had been to pioneer a path for his country in road cycling, to provide world-class training data and a frame of reference for the younger generation back home.
All of this had to be grounded in reality.
He knew people always subconsciously craved shortcuts to success, methods that promised results without the grueling effort.
But there are no shortcuts in competitive sports.
So, when the Vuelta a España reporter saw that he couldn't coax the soundbite he wanted out of Huang Chong, he switched to a few routine questions before ending the interview. And just like that, this year's Vuelta a España came to a definitive close.
The race may have been over, but the moment the news of Huang Chong being officially crowned the Vuelta a España champion reached China, the country's cycling fans erupted in celebration as if the New Year had come early.
