Sydney - Tour de France winner Cadel Evans was named the Australian cyclist of the year at an awards ceremony in Sydney, the fourth time he has claimed the coveted gong.
Evans, 34, made history when he became the first Australian to win the race in July and in recognition of his achievement was awarded the Sir Hubert Opperman medal at the ceremony late on Friday.
Evans, who became Australia's first world road race champion in 2009, also received the Australian honour in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
He has ruled out competing at Australia's Tour Down Under in January as he looks at aiming for world and Olympic glory as well as defending his yellow Tour de France jersey.