Mat Hayman (Orica-BikeExchange) won the Sir Hubert Opperman Trophy for the Australian Cyclist of the Year at the annual Cycling Australia Awards on Friday.
Hayman collected his trophy, as well as the award for Male Road Cyclist of the Year, after a season that saw him take the biggest victory of his career in April at Paris-Roubaix.
"My life has changed and my career has been validated in many ways," Hayman said. "I feel more confident when racing, like the weight of having to prove myself has been lifted."
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The 38-year-old, who turned professional in 2000 with Rabobank, claimed the stunning Paris-Roubaix win after beating Tom Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep) to the line in the Roubaix velodrome. He became just the second Australian to win the race, following Stuart O'Grady in 2007. Hayman went on to finish the Tour de France for the first time in his career in July. His only other participation in the race came in 2014, but he was forced to abandon that year. Hayman beat Orica teammate Michael Matthews and BMC Racing's Richie Porte to the award.
"For some reason 2016 has been the culmination of my whole career, winning Paris Roubaix and finishing the Tour have been dreams come true," Hayman said.
"I feel like all the riding I have ever done over all those years all came together. It has also been a lot of fun."
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