Exactly which sport he was practicing for, however, would be a great Winter X Games multiple-choice question:

a) Boarder X
b) Snocross
c) Biker X
d) Skier X
e) all of the above

Anyone choosing "c" would be correct -- at least Tuesday afternoon. Come the rest of the week, the answer changes to "e".

Palmer, or "The Palm," as he likes to be called, was on a bike Tuesday preparing for Wednesday's Biker X qualifying. When he's done qualifying, he'll stay on the course, but switch to skis for Skier X practice. Practice for Boarder X and Snocross will be come later this week.

There's no question Palmer will be busy over the next five days, following up Wednesday's practice sessions by competing in four events in four days. Last year's Boarder X gold medalist has decided to add Skier X and Snocross to his schedule. He's back in Biker X this year after claiming gold in 1997 and then skipping last year's bike competition.

By the way, he is shooting for gold in at least three events. And he isn't afraid to say so.

"I want to fire up our event, so more people watch it," Palmer said when asked about some of the brash statements he's offered in the past. "I want to get these athletes fired up to want to beat me. Stir it up a little bit. I want to get it going. I like to talk a little smack and get these guys fired up, so everybody will be trying hard.

"I don't talk unless I'm winning. If I'm not winning, you won't hear a word from me. But I like to win, and when I win, I'm a big mouth. That's just the way I am."

Undefeated in Boarder X, Palmer has backed up his words in past Winter X Games.

Palmer has even gone so far as to challenge the level of competition at past Winter X Games. That should change this year, however, thanks to the impending arrival of snowboarding world champion Terje Haakonsen, considered the "Michael Jordan of Snowboarding."

For the record, Haakonsen has won three of the past four U.S. Open halfpipe snowboarding championships and captured the International Snowboarding Federation's overall points title in 1993, 1995 and 1997.

"He's one of the best in the world; I respect that kid more than any snowboarder out there," Palmer said of Haakonsen. "He's beaten me before, I've beaten him. So, it's going to be good.

"I'd rather have him here. If I win again, it's even that much more of good feeling with him being here."

In contrast to this year, Palmer's '98 Winter X Games schedule was full of down time. He withdrew from the biking events and competed in just Boarder X.

"Last year the (bike) course was kind of dumb, so I didn't do it," Palmer said. "It wasn't any fun, and if I'm not having fun I'm not going to do something."

But even his training lacked the focus of this year's schedule.

"I didn't gear up at all last year. I just jumped on my board, with two days of practice, and won," Palmer said. "But this year I've trained up a lot for it. I've been working hard for the last month snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding every day. I geared up for this one, so we'll see how it goes."

Palmer admits his best chance at gold is on a snowboard. As he puts it, he can ride his snowboard "snowblind." And his BMX background has made his transition to Biker X smoother than everyone --except Palmer -- expected.

As for Skier X? "It's the same game, just different boards under your feet," Palmer said.

And Snocross? Well, Palmer has just two races under his belt and admits he's still learning how to be successful in the sport.

But, "I'd like to think they are all the best for me, this week," Palmer said.