Chapter 368 186: Relentless Pursuit, Showdown at Le Lioran!

Of course, he knew the two guys ahead of him were on par with him in terms of cardio.

In the end, the contest between the three of them would come down to their fundamental power output and their mastery of race strategy.

As they led the descent, Roglič, who had been dropped earlier, was actually caught by Evenepoel on the climb.

But those two were still about 40 seconds behind Huang Chong's lead group.

Following Aldag's instructions, Huang Chong refused to take a turn pulling at the front with Vingegaard and Pogačar.

Even as Pogačar kept looking back, signaling for him to take a turn, Huang Chong remained stubbornly at the back, completely unresponsive.

It would be to his advantage if Roglič caught up, so he'd be a complete fool to pull for them.

But Pogačar and Vingegaard clearly didn't want Roglič and Evenepoel to catch them, so they kept trading turns at the front during the final Third Category Climb.

Huang Chong clung to their wheels, his heart rate practically maxing out just to avoid getting dropped.

The person who designed this stage's course was some kind of twisted genius.

With just 3 kilometers to go, there was still a 2-kilometer-long descent.

This gave Huang Chong, who had been on the verge of cracking, a window to rest and recover.

Of course, the road conditions on this descent were treacherous. Not only was the road extremely narrow, but it was also riddled with tight, repetitive U-turns.

And so, as the trio reached the final, gentle 1-kilometer climb to the finish, Aldag's voice crackled over the radio once more.

"Huang, Primož crashed in the last hairpin. He's got a mechanical, and Remco has already pulled away from him.

You have to be at your absolute best. Fight for a top-two finish in the final sprint.

That way, you can at least secure the Yellow Jersey for the team!"

Huang Chong's heart sank when he heard Roglič had crashed.

'Damn it, can history really not be changed?'

But in a race this intense, he couldn't just drop back and act as Roglič's dedicated domestique.

The time gaps between him and the other three top contenders were too small. If he waited for his team leader, he would plummet to fourth in the overall standings.

A lead of over forty seconds on Vingegaard and Evenepoel wasn't easy to build; he had to defend his current advantage at all costs.

"OH MY GOD!!

Primož actually crashed in a hairpin inside the last two kilometers!!

And it looks like his bike has a mechanical issue! He can't get back to riding immediately after the accident!!

He has to wait right there for his team car to come up and fix his bike or give him a new one!!

Remco has already pulled away from Primož, but we don't have time to dwell on them—

Because Tadej, Jonas, and Huang Chong have just passed the 500-meter mark!!

How familiar this picture is!!"

On European Sports, Steve's excited, rapid-fire voice spilled out like a torrent of words.

"That's right, the three of them are replaying the scene from the finish of Stage 4!!

But after 211 kilometers of racing today, plus the grueling toll of four difficult, consecutive climbs in the last 50 kilometers, who will have the last laugh?"

Even Jimmy's usually calm and collected voice became unconsciously tense and hurried at this critical moment!

"The rider at the very front of the trio right now is, unbelievably, Jonas!!

I have to say, this is a completely unexpected picture.

As everyone knows, Jonas's sprint burst normally gives him no advantage whatsoever against the two riders behind him.

It seems the effort over the last 211 kilometers has truly pushed Tadej and Huang Chong to their limits—

He keeps looking back at Tadej and Huang Chong.

But those two are still stuck to his wheel, refusing to make a move—

300 meters to go!!

When are they going to launch their attack?!!

200 METERS!!!

They're getting closer and closer to the finish arch, and they're through the final corner!!!

150 METERS!!!

Jonas can't wait any longer! The finish arch is right in front of him, and he's launched his attack!!!

Tadej and Huang Chong reacted instantly, getting out of their saddles to follow!!!

But it's clear none of them are at their peak! The strain is visible on all their faces!!!

THE FINAL 50 METERS!!!

Jonas is still in the lead!!

Can Tadej and Huang Chong still overtake him?!

AH!! Huang Chong has pulled out from beside Tadej!!

He's still accelerating!!!

15 METERS TO GO!!!

He's passed Tadej and is now level with Jonas!!!

THE LAST 5 METERS!!!

He's passed Jonas! He's moved into first place!!

Let's congratulate Huang Chong, who has once again taken the Stage 11 victory in a final sprint!!!

But what's truly unbelievable is that Tadej actually lost to Jonas in the final sprint, finishing third in the stage—"

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