As Sam Welsford was the first to cross the finish line, Huang Chong, who was at the very back of the pack, also crossed with the peloton, receiving the same time.
He hadn't completely collapsed after three high-intensity water runs.
But when the race officials soon displayed the overall rankings for the first stage on the post-race broadcast, many Chinese fans saw that he had finished dead last, ranked over 100th, and couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
When it comes to competitive sports, everyone wants to see the rider they care about—especially Huang Chong, as the sole competitor from China—fighting for the championship, not just thinking about the team's interests.
Thus, despite having heard explanations from the commentators, many fans couldn't help but complain about the Bora Team's coaching staff, accusing them of not valuing Huang Chong enough and even suggesting that racial discrimination was a factor.
