> Assuming average ability, and proper training, can "anyone" become a
> professional cyclist?
>
Of course, what a ridiculous question. The euro-pros are all rejects
from soccer. They get cut from the soccer teams and only take up cycling as
a last resort. Look at Tyler Hamilton, he couldn't make the grade on his
college ski team, so he took up cycling. How 'bout Greg LeMond, he wanted
to be a freestyle skier, but wasn't good enough to win, so he did something
easy like cycling. Look at Lance, full blown cancer, and he becomes the
Apollo of the Tour de France. Have you ever done local group rides, and
seen some old fart, that can't even run around the block, leading the group
ride like some superman. The sport is full of rejects, so of course you can
win, maybe even dominate, if you have some average athletic ability. I know
of this 60 year old guy that dominates 1200 K ultracycling events, and they
asked him what was harder a marathon, or a 1200 K endurance ride, and he
said hands down, the marathon. There are thousands of examples, but in
short, I would compare it to bowling. Once you master a few skills it's a
piece of cake. Don't be fooled by the rbr folk, they know the score, but
they'll try to dazzle you with misdirection.
P.S. Throw the cigarettes away, that's the only thing I had to do, to be at
the front.