2009 was a strong season for Mick as he started out winning the Australian National Time Trial title and went on to race in the Giro and the Tour de France, working to help Columbia-HTC take twelve stage wins in the two grand tours.  He has had his "best off-season ever",  and is primed for a superb 2010 season.

Mick joined the team in  2007 as the team leader with a specific goal to lead the team in the Tour de France. It was an extremely emotional time for Michael when he was forced to end his Tour short after a crash, particularly when he was riding towards the yellow jersey with good prospects for the general classification.

Early 2008 also saw Michael out of action due to illness recovering slowly throughout the season. Michael is the kind of person who takes responsibility for his team and therefore it wasn't easy for him to sit at home watching from afar, everything that panned out after his crash.

2010 Victories

• Overall winner of Tour of California
  
• Overall winner of Tour of Andalucia
  

More about Mick

I've been racing since I was seven years old; I guess it's in my DNA.

Cycling is a special sport because it follows so much culture and history. I think it is the only sport where fans can still get close enough to touch the top athletes as they're performing.

 

• What are you doing when you’re not cycling?

Internet, computers

• What do you like about riding for Team Columbia-HTC?

At the races it's like Comedy Central.

• How did you get into cycling?

My father bought a race bike from the local bike shop to commute to and from work. From then on he started to get more into cycling, and then took part in his first race with the local cycling clb some months later. From there my 2 elder brothers and myself became interested. I started riding at age seven.

• What has been your biggest challenge as a pro cyclist?

My biggest challenge in cycling is staying healthy from the start of the cycling season in January to the end in October.

• Share a memorable pro career moment:

Being the only person in the worlds to win 3 consecitive World Time Trial Championships.

• What is your most embarrassing moment? 
  

When I was 9 years old I was playing in the forrest along side a bike racing circuit. To cut the story short I crossed the road just as the group came by, sending 99% of the bunch crashing to the ground. My brother included. Whoops !!

• What is the last song you listened to before you turned off your Ipod/Zune?

November Rain  - Guns ‘n’ Roses

• What is the best book you have ever read?

Anything from Robert Ludlum.

• What is your favorite comfort food?

Tiramisu – Italian Style