Hayman wins Australian cycling's top gong

It's a safe bet that if you win Paris-Roubaix then in all probability you will also take out Australian cycling's top awards and that's exactly what happened at the Jayco 2016 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards.

Oppy medal winner Mathew Hayman. Source: CA/John Veage

Mat Hayman's Paris-Roubaix triumph has earned him the "Oppy" medal as Australian cyclist of the year.

The 38-year-old won three major categories at the Cycling Australia annual awards on Friday night in Melbourne.

Apart from his first Sir Hubert Opperman medal, Hayman also took out the People's Choice award and the men's elite road cycling category.

The other Oppy finalists were freshly-retired track legend Anna Meares, Olympic track silver medallist Sam Welsford and two-time Rio Paralympic champion Carol Cooke.

Meares retired from competition last month and the night also featured a tribute to her record-breaking career.

In April, Hayman won one of cycling's most famous races just 10 days before his 38th birthday.

It was also only six weeks after he had broken his forearm in a race crash.

Originally, his team Orica-BikeExhchange ruled Hayman out of a Paris-Roubaix start.

But he made a stunning recovery to contest the race known as the Hell Of The North for the 15th time.

He is only the second Australian to win Paris-Roubaix after Stuart O'Grady in 2007.

"The Oppy is recognition from Australia that you are among the very elite," Hayman said.

"It caps a year of firsts for me and it is a privilege."

Also this year, Hayman finished the Tour de France for the first time.

Hayman's only other Tour start was 2014.

"My life has changed and has been validated in many ways," he said of this season's big successes.

"I feel more confident when racing, like the weight of having to prove myself has been lifted."

Caroline Buchanan was named elite female MTB rider of the year while Anna Meares did the same for track. Source: CA/John Veage

There was also an emotional tribute during the dinner to BMX star Sam Willoughby, who is paralysed below the chest after a post-Rio training crash.

Meares paid a tearful tribute to her long-time coach Gary West, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease after the Olympics.

Also on Friday night, Cycling Australia inducted its latest hall of fame members - track sprinter Ryan Bayley, road cyclist Oenone Wood, six-day legend Alf Goullet, mountain biker Mary Daubert (nee Grigson) and pioneering women's cyclist Iris Dixon (nee Bent).

Full list of winners

Sir Hubert 'Oppy' Opperman Medal & Trophy - Mathew Hayman

Subaru People's Choice Award - Mathew Hayman

Under 23 Cyclist of the Year - Sam Welsford (WA)

Coach of the Year - Peter Day (Para-cycling)

Norm Gailey Trophy - Champion State – New South Wales

Subaru Club Premiership – Port Adelaide CC

Elite

Road Male - Mathew Hayman (ACT)

Road Female - Katrin Garfoot (QLD)

Track Male - Sam Welsford (WA)

Track Female - Anna Meares (SA)

MTB Male - Jason English (NSW)

MTB Female Caroline Buchanan (ACT)

Para-cycling Male - David Nicholas (QLD)

Para-cycling Female - Carol Cooke (VIC)

Masters

Overall - Laurelea Moss (QLD)

Road Male - Danny Clark (VIC)

Road Female - Gaye Lynn (NSW)

Track Male - Gary Mandy (NSW)

Track Female - Laurelea Moss (QLD)

MTB Male - Jason Archer (WA)

MTB Female - Sharon Heap (QLD)

Junior

Overall - Conor Rowley (VIC)

Road Male - Harry Sweeny (QLD)

Road Female - Madeleine Fasnacht (TAS)

Track Male - Conor Rowley (VIC)

Track Female - Jade Haines (WA)

MTB Male - Jackson Frew (ACT)

MTB Female - Sian A'hern (NSW)

Subaru NRS Awards

Champion Team Men's John Craven Shield - Avanti IsoWhey Sports

Champion Team Women's - High 5 Dream Team

Champion Male - Joe Cooper

Champion Female - Lisen Hockings