Cultivating through increasing my stats in America Chapter 244 - 173: No evidence, then it wasn’t done!

If Li Ang’s teammates were initially reluctant to let him go and hoped that he would stay, that hope vanished completely after the Ineos Grenadiers Team ca into the picture.

Even when they imagined themselves in that scenario, they couldn’t find any reason to stay.

That was a team ranked in the top three in the world! Which professional cyclist didn’t dream of joining them?

They had the most resources, the best equipnt, the most outstanding coaches, and the strongest teammates. Their Macs Team was nowhere close.

Not to ntion that the manager of the Ineos Grenadiers Team seed to value Li Ang highly and had offered better terms than the Movistar Team.

"Thank you both for your recognition, but I refuse," Li Ang replied without much hesitation.

The manager of the Ineos Grenadiers Team shrugged and responded:

"Alright, I respect your decision, but if you change your mind later, you can always contact . My offer still stands."

Then, without further attempts to persuade, he turned and left the room.

As the manager of a top-tier team, he had his own confidence. The sports circle was never short of talent.

The manager of the Movistar Team sighed and followed suit, leaving as well.

If the Ineos Grenadiers Team hadn’t appeared, he might have tried to offer more and continue negotiations, but now he realized that within his authority, he couldn’t possibly sway Li Ang.

Li Ang had his reasons for refusing to join the World Tour Racing Teams.

Firstly, there was the issue of status. He currently had a contract with the Macs Team that was cooperative in nature, so it was only now that others were in negotiations with Li Ang; otherwise, he could only wait to be traded at will.

But if he joined a World Tour Racing Team, he would inevitably have to sign a binding contract.

To other racers, this was normal, but to Li Ang, cycling was just one of his many hobbies. He couldn’t possibly devote all his ti to it, especially with the requirent to be stationed in Europe.

Once part of a World Tour Racing Team, he certainly couldn’t be as free as he was now. The benefits he received in comparison to the restrictions imposed would make the deal less than worthwhile.

Secondly, there was the necessity of joining such a top-tier team. Take this race, for instance. Although Li Ang wasn’t a mber of a top-tier team and his team didn’t win the overall championship, his personal shine and the attention he received weren’t much affected by lacking that title.

Other external factors like the coaches, equipnt, and environnt were even less consequential to him. Therefore, joining a World Tour Racing Team would offer him limited benefits.

In light of this, it was better to maintain the status quo. After all, he already had a place in the Tour de France, which didn’t affect his ability to make money, earn Break Limit Points, or increase his popularity.

Li Ang’s choice, however, left his teammates, coaches, and manager with nothing but admiration.

Patrice, who had originally admired Li Ang’s strength, now admired his character as well and was keen on acknowledging him as an elder brother.

The forr captain even offered to step down willingly from his position, stating that no matter how one looked at it, Li Ang was more suitable for the role of team captain.

Of course, Li Ang decisively refused. Such a position was, for him, simply a thankless task, and with his current status within the team, he didn’t need to take on the captaincy to prove his worth.

However, after so persuasion by the manager, Li Ang reluctantly agreed to beco the vice-captain of the team, taking on the role in na only without managing any of the team’s affairs.

After a day spent generously celebrating with everyone, his teammates and coaches hastened back to their training, but Li Ang stayed behind.

Since his [Riding] had already advanced to a Perfect Level, he didn’t need to train anymore, and given his strength and status within the team, he didn’t need to join in the group training either.

The only requirent the coaches and manager had for him was to show up for the Tour de France.

Li Ang’s reason for staying behind was that he had sothing else to take care of.

"I’ve got so things to take care of outside," Li Ang said as he patted Catina’s head before leaving the hotel.

Once out the door, he quickly made his way to the location of the Solo Team manager, Loren Hanson, based on the information he had gathered.

Loren Hanson’s decision to stay wasn’t because they wanted to spend so days enjoying themselves. For a team that had lost their spot and had been penalized by the committee, there was no mood for celebration or play.

He stayed to explore his connections and see if he could lessen their penalties.

Although the official sanctions had been announced, such issues often blew over. After so ti, when the public had largely forgotten, no one would pay much attention to whether the punishnts were still enforced.

Later, they could just find an excuse and post a notice in so inconspicuous place announcing the removal of their sanctions, and no one would take much notice then, either.