When major television networks, such as CBS, deem someone a “professional cyclist” I tend to get a wee bit suspicious. Yeah, sure he is. Just like I am, because, after all, I’ve won money pedaling my bike, too.

But wouldn’t you know, the man pictured above, Tyson Apostol, contestant on the current rendition of Survivor, indeed raced as a full-on Euro pro for three years as far as I can tell:

• 2005: Volksbank - Ideal - Leingruber (Austria)
• 2006: Team Volksbank - Vorarlberg (Austria) – check out his team photo
• 2007: Team Volksbank (Austria)

Prior to racing as a pro for three years in Austria, Apostol spent a season learning the ropes at the Belgian Cycle Center.

Here’s pretty much the extent of the palmares to be found on ‘the internets’:

• Amateur
• 2002: Tour de Berne (Switzerland) – DNF
• 2002: Martigny-Mauvoisin (Switzerland) – 15th
• 2003: Giro del Lago Maggiore (Switzerland) – 9th
• 2003: Stausee-Rundfahrt (Switzerland) – 125th
• 2003: GP Jang Goldschmit (Luxembourg) – 18th
• 2003: Circuit des Ardennes (France) – DNF stage 2
• 2003: Schifflange (Luxembourg) – 15th
• 2003: Flèche du Sud (Luxembourg) – 99th overall
• 2003: Tour de Jura (Switzerland) – DNF
• 2004: Pro/1 Valley of the Sun – 36th overall
• 2004: Prix des Flandres Françaises (France) – 30th
• 2004: Grand Prix Demy Cars (Luxembourg) – 53rd
• 2004: Vlaamse Havenpijl (Belgium) – 26th
• Professional
• 2005: Giro del Lago Maggiore (Switzerland) – HD
• 2005: Stausee-Rundfahrt (Switzerland) – 96th
• 2005: Settimana Ciclista Lombarda (Italy) – 105th overall
• 2005: GP Schwarzwald (Germany) – DNF
• 2005: Tour of Slovenia (Slovenia) – DNF stage 5
• 2005: Brixia Tour (Italy) – DNF stage 3
• 2005: Rund um die Nürnberger Altstadt (Germany) – DNF
• 2006: Driedaagse van De Panne (Belgium) – DNF stage 1
• 2006: US Pro TT Championship – 53rd (DFL)
• 2006: US Pro Road Championship – DNF
• 2007: Ronde van het Groene Hart (Netherlands) – DNF
• 2007: Albert Achterhes Profronde van Drenthe (Netherlands) – DNF
• 2007: Paris-Camembert Lepetit (France) – DNF

According to the Survivor website, Apostol is described thusly: “In many ways Tyson can be brash, egotistical and unapologetic but, oddly enough, he has no tolerance for ‘know-it-alls’ or individuals who lack common courtesy. In addition to, as he describes it, ‘looking awesome,’ his favorite hobbies are exercising and sunbathing. If he becomes the next sole SURVIVOR, he plans to use all of the money for selfish purposes, starting with ‘the most smoking motorcycle around.’

That sounds like Mario Cipollini. Or most of the Rock Racing roster.

Can Apostol prevail and upgrade his meager cycling-centric income to one padded with a $1,000,000 injection of cash?