Karl Menzies had yet another strong season in 2007, finishing in the top five in the NRC individual points standings for the third consecutive year. The big man from Tasmania is strong and relentless over any terrain, and is a threat for stage wins in bunch sprints and out of breaks.

Date of Birth/Location: 17th June, 1977

Height: 186cm

Weight: 182 lbs

Current Residence: Boulder, CO

Education: St. Brendan Shaw College, University of Tasmania, 2 years

Years Racing: 7

Years as a Pro: 2

Previous Team(s)/Year(s): Health Net Presented by Maxxis (2006-07), Advantage Benefits/Endeavour (2005)

Strengths on the bike: Being able to produce a lot of watts

Strengths off the bike: My positive outlook on things; my good looks

Nickname: Ten, Big Unit, Hollywood

Family Status: Single

Favorite Movies: Kenny (great Australian movie, see it if u get the chance). I've also enjoyed Anchorman, Fight Club, Snatch, L4yer Cake, Lock Stock...

Currently on my iPod: Lots of different stuff; Augie March, The Kooks, The Killers, Lily Allen, Green Day, Xavier Rudd, My Chemical Romance, The Fray, Eskimoe Joe, Wolf Mother

Little known fact about Karl: I do have feelings.

Palmares

Career Highlights:
4th Overall, National Racing Calendar Individual Points Competition, 2007
2nd Overall, National Racing Calendar Individual Points Competition, 2006
5th Overall, National Racing Calendar Individual Points Competition, 2005

Wins:

2007
1st Stage 1, Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under (3 days in leader's jersey)
1st Overall, International Tour de 'Toona
1st Stage 2, International Tour de 'Toona
1st Stage 3, International Tour de 'Toona
1st Stage 5, International Tour de 'Toona
1st Stage 7, International Tour de 'Toona
1st Alpine Valley Road Race
1st Merco Credit Union Foothills Road Race
1st Stage 2, Joe Martin Stage Race
1st Stage 4, Joe Martin Stage Race
1st Stage 3, Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race
1st Points Competition, Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race
1st CU Criterium

2006
1st Overall, Nature Valley Grand Prix
1st Overall, Parker Mainstreet Omnium
1st Stage 2, Jayco Herald SunTour
1st Stage 4, Nature Valley Grand Prix
1st Stage 1, International Tour de 'Toona
1st Stage 2, Redlands Classic
1st Stage 2, Tour de Nez
1st Stage 3, Parker Mainstreet Omnium
1st Stage 12, International Superweek
1st Cherry Pie Criterium
1st Sausalito Criterium
1st Snelling Road Race
1st Stage 2, San Dimas Stage Race
1st Santa Cruz Criterium
1st Points Competition, Redlands Classic
1st Points Competition, San Dimas Stage Race

2005
1st Overall, International Cycling Classic/Superweek
1st Stage 2, International Cycling Classic/Superweek
1st Stage 2, Tour of Southland

2004
1st Stage 1, Herald Sun Tour
1st Sprint Classification, Herald Sun Tour

Other Major Results:

2007
2nd Overall, Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under
2nd Atlanta 100 km Classic
2nd Stage 1, Tri Peaks Challenge
2nd Stage 2, Tri Peaks Challenge
3rd Australian Road Race National Championship
3rd Stage 6, International Tour de 'Toona
3rd Stage 4, Tri Peaks Challenge
3rd Chris Thater Memorial
4th Gunns Mitre 10 Cycle Classic
5th Overall, Joe Martin Stage Race
5th Presbyterian Healthcare Invitational
5th Stage 6, Tour of Missouri
6th Overall, Tri Peaks Challenge

2006
2nd Overall, Tour de Nez
2nd Stage 7, Peace Race, Czech Republic
2nd CSC Invitational
2nd Stage 3, International Tour de 'Toona
2nd Stage 7, International Tour de 'Toona
2nd Sea Otter Classic
2nd Stage 1, Parker Mainstreet Omnium
2nd Stage 2, Parker Mainstreet Omnium
2nd Stage 11, International Superweek
3rd Stage 1, Jayco Herald SunTour
3rd Stage 2, Nature Valley Grand Prix
3rd Stage 4, International Tour de 'Toona
3rd Downer's Grove Pro Am
3rd Merced Criterium
4th Overall, International Tour de 'Toona
4th Overall, San Dimas Stage Race
4th Stage 1, Ford Tour de Georgia
4th Stage 2, Ford Tour de Georgia
4th Stage 7, Jayco Herald SunTour
4th Stage 1, Nature Valley Grand Prix
4th Stage 5, Nature Valley Grand Prix
5th Overall, Redlands Classic
7th Overall, Jayco Herald SunTour
7th Trophee des Grimpeurs, France

2005
2nd Overall, Joe Martin Stage Race
2nd Stage 1, Joe Martin Stage Race
2nd Stage 2, Joe Martin Stage Race
2nd CapTech Classic
2nd Stage 1, Nature Valley Grand Prix
2nd Stage 4, Nature Valley Grand Prix
2nd Stage 6, International Cycling Classic/Superweek
2nd Stage 18, International Cycling Classic/Superweek
2nd Carolina Cup
3rd Overall, San Dimas Stage Race
3rd Overall, Tour de Nez
3rd Stage 4, Herald Sun Tour
3rd Stage 7, Tour of Southland
3rd Stage 4, Joe Martin Stage Race
3rd Stage 5, International Cycling Classic/Superweek
3rd Stage 7, International Cycling Classic/Superweek
4th Wachovia Invitational-Lancaster

2004
2nd Stage 6, Herald Sun Tour
2nd Stage 13, Herald Sun Tour
2nd Stage 4, Tour of Wellington
2nd Stage1, Tour of Korea
2nd Stage 3, Tour of Korea
2nd Stage 14, International Cycling Classic/Superweek
2nd Stage 15, International Cycling Classic/Superweek
3rd Overall, Tour of Wellington (UCI 2.5)
3rd Overall, Tour of Korea (UCI 2.5)
3rd Stage 4, Tour of Korea
5th Overall, Herald Sun Tour (UCI 2.3)
5th Stage 2, International Cycling Classic/Superweek

In his own words

How did you spend your off-season?

Off-season in OZ for me was about three weeks. I spent most of that showing my mate Garrett around Tassie as he stopped over after the Sun Tour. Tassie really is an amazing place and I really hadn't appreciated it for quite a few years so that was good fun. Apart from that, not a great deal. Had a little holiday on the East Coast which was very nice. Spent a fair bit of time with family and friends, and preparing for 2008 in the U.S. And working on my tan for team photos at the end of January.

What are your goals or expectations for the 2008 season?

I would love to win a stage in CA or GA; that would be awesome. But basically my plans are to win bike races and help my teammates win bike races. Sounds simple.

Do you ever get tired of living up to your nickname? Are there days when you'd rather just ride like Five or Eight Menzies?

You will not see me on those days. If I'm having a bad day I will most likely go for a ride by myself. I like to keep up a front of being someone who doesn't have bad days. But I definitely do, I just don't talk about them.

When did you start racing, and why?

When I was about 22. I did triathlons for many years and it took me a while to realise I couldn't run very well, so I stuck to bike riding and everything has gone well since that day.

Who were/are your cycling mentors and/or influences?

I get a lot of influence and inspiration from lots of different people. My family's support is probably the single biggest influence. But coming home this year I started to appreciate the amount of support from people in Tassie who follow every race that I'm involved in throughout the year. This is quite humbling, and as such motivates me to perform at the highest level I can.

What was your first bike? When/how did you get it?

My first bike was a Trail Blazer BMX. My first road bike was a Repco Olympic 12, which was my Dad's and he let me use when I started. I think it had a lovely magenta paint job.

What was your first win?

Not really sure. I know it took a long time to come. Quite a lot of training.

What would you consider your finest moment on the bike?

This is quite a difficult question. I was riding my best at Tour de 'Toona I think, but as far as other moments, I thoroughly enjoyed my stage win at the Herald Sun Tour. It's always nice to win back home. I also liked the stage win at the Tour de Nez, as this was my first race in the U.S. a few years earlier. And it was great to be back there and have the opportunity to win, more for sentimental reasons I guess.

What was your worst or most embarrassing moment on the bike?

After finishing a race at Superweek 2005, I was riding down the home straight in the Leader's yellow jersey and made a smart ass comment to Erik Saunders. He said something back and as I went to circle back I clean dropped myself as I couldn't clip out. It was in front of most of the crowd. At the time it was a little embarrassing.

When you're not on your bike, what do you like to do?

Drink coffee, check my email, read a book, watch movies, do pilates, check out Boulder, sleep.