PPWTF Posted January 16, 2009 Share http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/16/kenya-cycling-tour-de-france The search for a "black Lance Armstrong" in a country with preciouslittle cycling history might at first seem outlandish - but Leong isdeadly serious about his African Cyclist project. http://www.theafricancyclist.com/home.htmlTim Noakes, a renowned professor of sports science and exercise, at theUniversity of Cape Town, said that while marathon runners and cyclistsoften shared outward physical characteristics, the processes involvedin running and cycling were completely different. But Leong persevered.After six months of searching for a promising rider to support hestumbled across Nderi, from the Kikuyu tribe, who had run competitivelyat school but enjoyed riding more. Samwel Mwangi, 24 and also Kikuyu,who packed supermarket shelves and rode a "boda-boda" bicycle taxi,soon joined Leong's team, along with a third rider, Sammy Ekiru, aTurkana. When news got around town that they had been put on contracts,people's attitudes to cycling began to change. He (Leong) took two Kenyan amateur riders from the town of Eldoret, 20 milesfrom Iten, to tackle the famous Tour de France climb at Alpe d'Huez inAugust last year. Zakayo Nderi, a 26-year-old shoe-shiner who had neverridden a racing bike with gears before leaving Kenya to train for theride, made it in 42 minutes 10 seconds, then the fastest time of theyear and an achievement that would have placed him in the top half ofTour riders when a time trial was last held on the mountain in 2004. Been featured here before but is well worth keeping in lights - an amazing project PPWTF2009-01-16 01:47:07 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreZA Posted January 16, 2009 Share Most American black athletes can qualify, they all dope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiasm Posted January 16, 2009 Share b.a.d.fiasm2009-01-16 01:48:36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canaris Posted January 16, 2009 Share I posted this months ago. THey even have their own website: http://www.theafricancyclist.com/home.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABUBI Posted January 16, 2009 Share Eish, how is he going to feel if they remove that one testicle, he has to take the good with the bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fandacious Posted January 16, 2009 Share what about pantani? his shoes are bright enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man with no name Posted January 16, 2009 Share Gerolsteiner managed to do this and he is training right here in South Africa, saw him at the Engen to Engen - already the German Champion, rides some souped up cervelo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPWTF Posted January 16, 2009 Share Enough of the Armstrong cheap shots - I've changed the title, now read the post. It's a bloody amazing project which deserves some serious support from the sport and wider cycling community. Without a shadow of doubt these guys are the next major change to the pro scene. (the last major shift was with the arrival of eastern Europeans from behind the iron curtain) When we see how distance running was transformed during the late 60's and early 70's.... now imagine just some of that talent making it's way onto a bike and into the sport, supported by the required elements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted January 16, 2009 Share Oh, I thought our own King of Bling had cracked the nod and gotten a Pro ride overseas... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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