By training an African Lance Armstrong, this Singaporean could change pro cycling

Zakayo (left) and Mwangi on a climb. Photo: Nicholas Leong

Very few Asian entrepreneurs have the audacity to do crazy things. While more entrepreneurs and do-gooders have arisen in the continent over the past decade — and that is a good sign, don’t get me wrong — many of them are found hopping onto the latest fads, daily deals one moment, SoLoMo the next.

Nicholas Leong, on the other hand, is truly one-of-a-kind.

A Singaporean commercial photographer in his previous life, Nicholas gave it all up to pursue a different path: Training the next Lance Armstrong. In Kenya.

He’s not doing this on the side, he told me while he was in Singapore a few weeks ago. Committing his life savings to this endeavor,  he’s on full throttle, charging full speed ahead with his wacky idea. By the time you’re reading this, he’ll be in Africa, preparing his cyclists for their next race.

Everything started with a spinter in his feet.

“I couldn’t walk for weeks, and spent a lot of time at home, just thinking about stuff,” he said.

As an avid fan of the Tour De France, a thought came to him: In an era where athletes of African descent dominate almost every sport, why is the world of pro cycling still a white man’s game?

He also noticed that Africans, and Kenyans in particular, have been dominating the marathon world. Last year, for the first time, Kenyans have swept all six World Marathon Majors — in Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, and Daegu.

Meshing the two thoughts together, he had an idea: What if they can transplant their natural aptitude for long-distance running to another endurance sport — cycling?

He acted on it. After the Standard Chartered marathon in 2006, in which the men’s race was dominated by Kenyans, Nick packed his bags, and bought a ticket to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. He approached the Kenyan team and told them he was following them to their hometown.

And that was the start of his African Cyclist project.

Nick is now based in Eldoret, a town 2,100 meters above sea level and the engine room of Kenya’s running prowess. Many of Kenyan’s top marathoners have emerged from there.

“My landlady was a 10,000m world champion. Throw a stone there and you’ll likely hit a champion runner,” he said.