Phil Anderson

Phil Anderson OAM is one of Australia's cycling hero's. He won gold in the 1978 Commonwealth Games, turned pro and joined the intensely competitive professional European road circuit with a career spanning 16 years and culminating with another Commonwealth gold in 1994, the year of his retirement.

Anderson is well known for being the first Australian (and first non-European) to win the prestigious yellow jersey in the Tour de France. His daring challenge of the French favourite, Bernard Hinault and his exploits on the road, are stories full of pain, fierce determination and excitement.

In his 14 years, he broke too many bones and was at the receiving end of too many injuries or illnesses to mention - in one season alone he sustained a fractured kneecap, dislocated shoulder, badly bruised ribs and index finger torn chest muscles and bronchitis.

One of a handful of Australians then racing in Europe in the 1980s, he also dismantled many of the cultural and social barriers at that until then had hindered Australian cyclists. It is due to his efforts that today's Australian cyclists enjoy so many opportunities. Anderson's career was so significant including 85 professional wins and five top-10 overall placings from his 13 starts in the Tour - that one could easily just focus on his victories, or at least the relentless pursuit of them.

Ultimately Phil Anderson won the yellow jersey 11 times and rose to number one in the world.

Phil is often called upon to be a speaker at functions where his wisdom is drawn from the experiences that he had through his illustrious career. Phil can offer an insight into the dedication needed to succeed in an arena unknown in his home country, highlighting, not only the highs and lows, but also the extraordinary difficulties he faced on and off the bike.