Mike Tomalaris

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Mike Tomalaris is a Sydney-based sports reporter and presenter for SBS Television.

He is one of the longest serving members of the team behind SBS World Sports, after working on such events as the 1992 & 1996 European Football Championship and the 1994,1998 & 2002 FIFA World Cup tournaments.

[edit] Early career

Mike initially studied accounting at university for two years prior to his passion for sport saw him head towards journalism and the media.

After attending the Max Rowley School of Radio, Television and Drama, he embarked on a career in radio.

His break into television was when Les Murray asked him to provide some commentary for a National Soccer League match and after working initially in print journalism, Mike returned to SBS full-time in 1992 and he became recognised as a commentator for NSL games, Socceroos and Olyroos international broadcasts.

[edit] Cycling

He developed a love of cycling when he assigned to cover the Commonwealth Bank Cycle Classic in 1992 and in 1996, was asked to go to Holland for the start of the Tour De France. When asked he cover the Tour De France, Mike declares his passion for cyclinng grew to another level.

During the late '90s, the sport was normally reserved for success stories by European cyclists and thus began the invasion of Australian riders having success in Europe.

SBS is regarded as the home of cycling in Australia and the network winning the exclusive rights to show every stage live in 2005 can be credited to its commitment to covering the sport when most other networks ignore it. He also covered the Tour De France in 2006 with Phil Liggatt.

[edit] Today

He is a big part of the World Sport team, as both a reporter and presenter, as well as being presenter of the network's Cycling Central series. Most recently, he also covered the 2006 FIFA World Cup.