Minister for Sport Mark Arbib has congratulated 2011 Tour de France champion Cadel Evans on winning the Sir Hubert Opperman Trophy at the 2011 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards held in Sydney.

Evans overcame strong competition from Anna Meares to win the prestigious Australian cycling award to cap off a fantastic year for Australian cyclists.

Senator Arbib said Evans had united the nation with his history-making victory in Paris and was fully deserving of his fourth Opperman Trophy.

“Cadel’s victory in this year’s Tour de France was arguably one of the greatest achievements in Australian sporting history and capped off many years of hard work,” Senator Arbib said.

“Cadel has been one of Australia’s standout cyclists across the past decade and this is highlighted by the fact he has now won the Sir Hubert Opperman Trophy on four occasions.

“Our cyclists have had a tremendous 2011 as they work towards success in London next year and choosing winners across all categories this evening would have been a difficult task.

“Susan Powell and Michael Gallagher had tremendous years for the para-cycling team and will lead the charge towards the Paralympic Games next year.

“The success of all members of the Australian team is underlined by the 36 world titles they won across all ages and disciplines.”

Senator Arbib said Evans was also named as Male Elite Road Cyclist of the Year, while Meares picked up the 2011 People’s Choice Cyclist of the Year and Female Track Cyclist of the Year following her triple world championship success in March.

Powell and Gallagher were awarded Female and Male Elite Para-cyclists of the year, while Caroline Buchanan and Sam Willoughby were crowned the top BMX riders in 2011.

Meares’ awards came just 24 hours after being named as the 2011 AIS Athlete of the Year, while Australia’s leading track cyclist was also recently included in AIS ‘Best of the Best’ athletes Hall of Fame.

The Australian Government provides more than $7.3 million to cycling annually, while Cycling Australia was also a recipient of $365,000 through the Green and Gold project to support our medal chances in London.