Evans named Australian Cyclist of the Year

World road champion Cadel Evans was named the 2009 Australian Cyclist of the Year at a ceremony in Melbourne late on Sunday.

Evans, 32, became only the second Australian cyclist to win the Sir Hubert Opperman medal for a third time in the 51-year history of the award.

He also won the medal in 2006 and 2007 and joined Peter Besanko, who received the highest honour in Australian cycling in 1979, 1981 and 1984.

Evans this year became the first Australian to win the elite men's road race at the world championships in Switzerland.

He also wore the leader's jersey on stage nine of this year's Vuelta a España, in which he finished third overall.