Only riders who place in the top three at intermediate sprint points and at the final sprint can get time bonuses to gain an advantage in the standings.
After the race, Aldag was very satisfied to see that Huang Chong had stayed steadily in front of Roglič the entire time. Whether on a climb, a descent, or a flat road, he consistently kept pace with the peloton and allowed Roglič to finish the entire stage safely and comfortably.
In fact, having a rider like Huang Chong, who was only in his first year on the World Tour, ride lead for Roglič put him under a lot of pressure.
Although Huang Chong was already quite strong, he ultimately lacked experience in major competitions.
Being a personal domestique is a completely different matter from competing for the general classification yourself.
But now that Huang Chong had finished the first stage with a perfect performance, Aldag undoubtedly breathed a sigh of relief.
He praised him with a look of admiration:
