Thomas Palmer

The ACT-born cyclist is no stranger to the big stage having spent much of 2011 riding in European classics and performing well, with top-five finishes in several stages in races in France and Luxembourg among many places, as well as three straight years of winning the opening stage of the Tour de Okinawa (2009, 2010 and 2011). Palmer has demonstrated he is not out of his depth competing against more experienced cyclists let. The 21-year-old has a history of performing well whether it is on the track or on the road, and with a solid 2011 behind him there is a good chance that Palmer will have an outstanding Santos Tour Down Under in 2012.

Date of birth	28th June 1990
Born	Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Lives	Duffy, Australian Capital Territory
Height	186cm
Weight	76kg
Club	Canberra Cycling Club
Professional team	Drapac Professional Cycling Team
Bike	Giant with Shimano
Longest distance on a bike	Melbourne to Warrnambool (262km)
Career highlights	1st Stage one Tour de Okinawa 2009-2011 (JPN) 3rd U23 National Championship, Road Criterium 2011 (AUS) 3rd Stage six Tour de l'Avenir (u23 tour de France) 2011 (FRA) 3rd Stage 2 Jayco Herald Sun Tour 2011 (AUS) 3rd stage 5 Jayco Herald Sun Tour 1st Stage 9, 10 and 12 Tour of the River Murray 2010 (AUS) 2nd U23 National Championship Road Criterium 2010 (AUS) 1st Stage one Tour de la Nouvelle-Caledonie 2009 (FRA) 1st World Championships –Track-Junior Madison 2008 (RSA) 1st World Championships –Track-Junior Team Pursuit 2008 (RSA) 2nd World championships-Junior Track 1km 2008 (RSA) 1st World championships-Junior Track 1km 2007 (MEX)
Ambitions for 2012	To win UCI races, selection for U23 worlds and to make the step up to World Tour.
STDU Appearances	2012 is first STDU appearance
Who do you look up to?	Matt Haymen
Favourite riding conditions	Still and warm days
Cycling tip for the average rider	You will learn the most from the guys beating you
Favourite food	I like to cook but I don't really care what it is
Other interests	I am studying a Bachelor of Arts at the Australian National University, majoring in Political Science

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