CT Interview:Tom Palmer from Drapac Porsche

Q. Tom, congratulations on your win in the Japan Criterium! What were your thoughts as you crossed the line?

Q. When you broke away in the last kilometre with Gustav Larsson from SaxoBank & Dennis Galimzyanov of Katusha, what did you think of your chances?

A. I was pretty confident with a lap (1.5km) to go that I'd have a good chance at a sprint, so I was positioned perfectly behind Robbie and the Katusha train when Larsson stormed away at 1km to go. I tried my best to be patient for the sprint but as we rounded the final corer (a u-turn with 600m to go) Dennis who I'd thought would lead for Robbie out had taken off behind Larsson. 600m is a long way out from the line but with those two making getting away I knew it was time to go. and it worked out okay in the end I guess. 

Q. After the race, when Gustav said that you were flying, how big a buzz did that give you?

A. Yeah, a big one. I'd seen him racing from the sidelines in Geelong and he's a massively respected rider so a few words meant a lot. Being congratulated by Robbie McEwen was pretty special too. I grew up watching him on tv and this year I was lucky to race him in a Belgian Pro Kermesse during his lead up to the tour seeing him there and then to be congratulated by both those monumental riders was a pretty amazing experience. 

Q. It was a successful trip for the guys, with your win and Peter McDonald also having a podium finish. How did the guys find competing at such a high level, against Pro Tour teams?

A. Both a challenge and an opportunity. Lining up next to those big teams in a race as significant as the Japan Cup is an awesome opportunity for us and there's always a positive, nothing to lose, 'let's give em hell' kind of attitude in the team. That's something I enjoyed massively and you could probably see it in the aggressive way we raced, trying to disrupt the formulaic strategies of the big teams. Of course riders like Martin, Arashiro, Van Summeren, Ciolek etc. deserve a huge amount of respect and any time you front up against them you need to ride your best or they'll just make you look silly.

Q. Before the team left for Japan, there was that amazing performance in the Melbourne to Warrnambool. Do you think that race really pumped the guys up for the Japan Cup & Criterium?

A. It definitely did help, probably in a few ways. It made the 160km Japan Cup seem short, unfortunately it didn't make it seem flat or slow. But with four of the same riders, and the addition of our climber Pete McDonald it was pretty much the same team with a different leader, so we carried a lot of confidence. Personally too, I found the long hard slog at the Warrnambool was really great for my condition: once I'd recovered of course. 

Q. For yourself, Melbourne to Warrnambool was your first race back after a sinus op. Can you tell us what it was like racing in those brutal conditions, while being on the comeback trail?

A. Incredible! The conditions were testing but I was just stoked to be riding healthy again. I had about three weeks back on the bike to prepare for the race which may not seem like much but being the first three weeks I've had without being interrupted by sinusitis since a junior; it was the best preparation I've ever had. So on the one hand I was coming back from some time recovering from the surgery, but on the other I was the healthiest I've been in a long time, and health I've found, counts for a lot. 

Q. 2010 has been a really successful year for Drapac Professional Cycling, how are you and the team feeling going into the summer with the Bay Crits and Australian Open Championships?

A. Ambitious. The guys have really come out all guns blazing for the back of this season and lead by guys like Rhys, Stuart, Joe and Dave we're definitely in a good position going into this next block of racing.  

Q. Moving off the bike for a moment, how do you go combining cycling with studying?

A. With a little difficulty, but I find it's worthwhile. I'm doing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology full-time at the Australian National Uni. Not everyone's cup of tea but I find it interesting, and the whole uni experience is a good escape from the bike. My exams are coming up now and it takes a bit of sacrifice when crunch times come around. But I find when I keep things in perspective, work hard and try not to stress out about either side it tends to work. The ANU helps out massively by being flexible where it can and so does Drapac Professional Cycling; whether it's freighting seven kilos of textbooks to and from Europe or basing the travel program around semester dates. Both sides have offered massive support. 

Q. One of Drapac Professional Cycling's core principles is to develop riders as people, not just athletes. What do you do as part of this programme?

A. That aspect of the team has been incredibly supportive, and their unique, holistic commitment and loyalty to riders is something I've actually experienced day in and day out for my whole time with the team. Cycling is a demanding sport; long, tiring hours on the road and extended periods away from home make juggling Uni, family, relationships and even health a pretty exhausting exercise. But I do my best to stay involved and help out in my local community, within the Canberra Cycling Club maintaining relationships in my home town and sport is pretty important. 

And finally...

Q. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why??

A. Where do I start... just one? I'd die. Shotz Vanilla Cola gels have saved my life on a few occasions... If there's one thing I've learned in the team recently it's the importance of looking after your body Lentils, vegies, brown rice would probably make the shortlist. Although, another big part of looking after yourself is enjoying yourself and for that I'd say regular generous servings of rose flavoured Turkish delight and baklava from my local grocer are crucial.