I find it funny, but it does make me wonder about other athletes...
Skiers: They stand on two skinny boards, then try to slide down a snow-covered hill on them without falling.
Runners: They try to jog really fast... without tripping.
Baseball players: They primarily stand and sit for hours... and occasionally try to catch, throw or hit a ball (something they fail at with alarming frequency).
Anyway, if cycling isn't athletic, I don't know what is. It obviously involves strength, endurance, balance and coordination... all of which require athletic ability.