Actually they're much worse. Take the NFL for example 32 teams with 53 man rosters, minimum rookie salary over $200,000, minimum veteran salary over $500,000 and most players making over $1,000,000 per year. Next year's salary cap will be $95 million per team. (slightly less than $2million per roster spot).

By contrast there are 20 pro tour cycling teams. I recall reading that Discovery's operating budget (not salaries, but all expenses including salaries) was $12million per year, and Discovery is one of the best funded teams. So the chances of being well paid as a pro cyclist are much worse than other pro sports. There simply is not as much money in it.

Next point, Roger, you're young and enthusiatic, Go out ride, get the best coaching you can. Enter lots of races, and see what develops. Before long you'll know whether you have the inate ability to go far in cycling. Even if you never make it to a professional level, or even to a Cat 2, you'll have fun and be a better person for having tried. But as many have pointed out, the odds of making this a profession are low. Even if you can make a living at it, unless you rise to the level of LAnce Armstrong, Jan Ulrich, and a very few others, you will not make enough money, for long enough time that you can get by without an education. So work hard on your cycling, but also work hard in school. Succeeding in bike racing is very dependent on self discipline and structure, two attributes that also make a good student. Thus working hard on your studies is not inconsistent with your desire to race, and will only make you a better racer.