How long until the Africans totally dominante cycling?

Running is much more accessible and aspirational, so cycling is not likely to get the top flight talent. However, there is so much talent that if a program gets going it should produce fruit.

I remember a few years back when a couple of Kenyans were brought into cross-country skiing and they flopped, but that was just a couple of guys in a very niche sport with a simple but very specific and exacting skill involved.

racing bike: ~$1,500

do some pawning, adjust for infaltion, black market, owe a guy some favors: ~ $150

average kenyan income: ~ $400

never

They could easily, the only obstacle is money. Big wall for them to climb over, yes. But, if a country like Qatar wants to invest a million dollars they could challenge at the Tour.

"Zakayo, a 26-year-old SHOESHINE boy, raced up the mountain in 46 minutes to beat a host of semi-professionals in his first European race."

That depends on what specifically you think is their physiological advantage. If you believe their oxygen uptake is superior, then maybe one day they will be competitive in cycling. If you believe it's their long legs and skinny calves, then probably never.

If it's the former, then expect them to compete at mountain biking long before road cycling. The roads are crap almost everywhere in Africa, and if you can find a paved road and go biking on it, you're very likely to either get hit by a car or get mugged if your bike is worth shit.

BOe wrote:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/2675597/Two-African-cyclists-ready-to-dominate-the-Tour-de-France-podium---Cycling.html

They could easily, the only obstacle is money. Big wall for them to climb over, yes. But, if a country like Qatar wants to invest a million dollars they could challenge at the Tour.

"Zakayo, a 26-year-old SHOESHINE boy, raced up the mountain in 46 minutes to beat a host of semi-professionals in his first European race."

"Semi-professional cyclists". Yeah, right. When different athletes have been tested on 'bikes' the E. Africans among others were notable in their inability to generate much power. Just because you can run doesn't mean you can bike, swim, do cross country skiing. I've beaten semi-pros in basketball quite handily over the years and never would have considered myself near the ability of an NBA player.

What do you call a black guy on a bicycle?

A thief.

The Jamaicans overcame a lot of obstacles to field a bobsled team.

It was initially a joke, but they actually became decent.

It just took someone to recognize they had a key raw element in the sport - foot speed at the top - and put some money behind it.

One of the major cycling teams could take a flyer on developing a few Africans on a similar sort of adventure.

If you think quads of thunder are a necessity you obviously weren't watching the Tour and some of those beanpoles on the climbs.

Not in the foreseeable future.