I agree, maybe only 12 year back might do.

I think if your not in there as a junior, competing at an international level you don't really have much chance. I finished school in 88 or 89 and went straight to the USA to do sport, I was 16 the first trip overseas. Kept going OS until I was 24 or so, good fun, good way to see the world, just not much future for "pro sport guy that never quite made it", earning enough money to just keep going got boring after a few years.

Having said that, doesn't stop many of us riding every minute we can and racing our guts out for fun every second weekend or so.