Phil Thomas (cyclist)

Phil Thomas (8 October 1916 – 18 July 2004) was an Australian amateur and professional racing cyclist who competed on both road and track.

After placing 2nd behind Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Dunc Gray in the 1000-metre time trial at the Australian amateur track championships held in Melbourne in 1937,[1] Thomas was selected for the Australian team to compete at the 1938 British Empire Games held in Sydney.

[2] He was controversially then dropped from the team after doubts were raised about his amateur status whilst a junior, despite Thomas providing a statutory declaration that he had never competed as a professional.

In 1946, Thomas won the Victorian Cycling Grand Prix,[4] in that year Australia's longest and richest one-day road classic,[5] over 195 miles from Bendigo to Melbourne.

Thomas was named the "outstanding professional roadman in Australia in 1946" by the Sporting Globe following his victory in the race.