Rohan Dennis (SA) has capped a record-breaking 2015 by claiming the Sir Hubert 'Oppy' Opperman Medal & Trophy at the Jayco 2015 Cycling Australia Awards in Melbourne on Friday night.

 

Dennis edged dual 2015 track world champion Annette Edmondson (SA) and 2015 Para-cycling road and track world champion Alistair Donohoe (VIC) for the major award.

 

“There are some exceptional riders who have won the Oppy so to be in that sort of company is pretty special,” said Dennis. 

 

“I thought I might be able to win it later in my career after I’d won a monument or a grand tour. I never thought I would get it this early in my career.”

 

The 25-year-old started the year with a hometown victory at the Tour Down Under after taking the race lead on stage three.

 

Dennis then became the first Australian to break the UCI Hour Record, setting a new benchmark of 52,491km at the Velodrome Suisse in Grenchen, Switzerland in February.

 

His crowning glory came at the Tour de France in July where after an emphatic individual time trial ride – the fastest in the event’s history – he became just the seventh Australian to wear the Tour’s yellow jersey. 

 

In August, he won the USA Pro Challenge with a memorable victory on the final climb of Stage four to clinch the solo win, before sealing a breakout season by guiding his professional outfit BMC to the men's team time trial crown at the UCI World Road Cycling Championships in September.

 

“There are a lot of things that I did this year, that show that it was a really good year.  Obviously winning the opening time trial at the Tour was a good result but I’m proudest of having had a consistent year, with a wide spread of results.

 

“Initially I didn’t think it was that good a year. I just picked a few targets and went for them. 

 

“Then, when speaking with Allan Peiper (BMC Team Manager), I listed the things I did and I’d forgotten about leading the (Criterium du) Dauphine, winning the team time trial at the Tour and the team time trial at the World Championships.

 

“Allan helped put it in context by comparing it to what some other people achieve in an entire career.”  

 

But despite a superb 2015 and capping the year with Australian Cycling’s major award, Dennis has his sights already firmly set on 2016, including targeting the time trial at the 2016 Cycling Australia Road National Championships in January. 

 

“My ambitions for next year haven’t changed, I want to start well with time trial at nationals,” Dennis added.

 

“It’s always special to wear the national jersey for the year and I can beat the best in Europe but I haven’t made it click in January. 

 

“That’s my first goal. After that I’m looking at having a go at the Tour of California and playing role for the team at the Tour de France.

 

“But the main goal is the Rio Olympics.”

 

Katrin Garfoot (QLD) took out the Female Road Cyclist of the Year award after a consistent season of top ten finishes which was highlighted by fourth in the time trial at the World Championships and the Oceania time trial title.

 

Dual world champion in the omnium and team pursuit Annette Edmondson (SA) was crowned Female Track Cyclist of the Year and omnium World Championships silver medallist Glenn O’Shea (SA/formerly VIC) received the Male award.

 

Alistair Donohoe (VIC) was named as Male Elite Para-Cyclist of the Year for the second year in a row after claiming world titles on both the road and track.  Road time trial world champion Carol Cooke (VIC) was awarded the Female award.

 

The major elite MTB awards went to Troy Brosnan (SA), who finished in the top ten in every round of the World Cup series and sixth at the World Championships, with Janine Jungfels (QLD) claiming the honour for a second year in a row after becoming Australia's first ever UCI Observed Trials world champion.

 

Strong-man Adam Hansen (QLD), who rode into the record books in 2015 after successfully riding 13 consecutive Grand Tours, was voted the Subaru People's Choice Award winner after thousands of online votes were cast by cycling fans throughout September and October.

 

“It is an honour to win this, I always felt I touched the fans in a special way,” said Hansen, via satellite phone from the Mt Everest Base Camp. “I would like to thank everyone for all the support throughout the year including Subaru, Cycling Australia and the Australian Sports Commission.”

 

Dual junior world and triple national champion Rohan Wight (SA) was awarded the Overall Junior Cyclist of the Year Award, while Geoff Stoker (NSW) clinched the Overall Masters Cyclist of the Year going following a season which saw him grab two track world titles and set two world best times in the flying 200m and time trial.

 

The Rising Star award went to Caleb Ewan (NSW) following a tremendous rookie season in the pro peloton which featured eleven wins including a stage win in his first grand tour - the Vuelta a España.

 

“It is an absolute honour for me to win this award, and congratulate all the nominees because they have all had an exceptional year,” said Ewan via video link from Monaco.

 

“A special thank you to team mates and staff at ORICA-GreenEDGE, without their help, my results and this award wouldn’t be possible. And to Gerry Ryan for his continued support – and congratulations Gerry on your induction into the Cycling Australia Hall of Fame.”

 

Gary Sutton (NSW) was anointed Coach of the Year after guiding his Women's High Performance Track Endurance team to three track world titles including the team pursuit in world record time, the omnium and the individual pursuit.

 

The Subaru Australian Club Premiership was won by the Port Adelaide Cycling Club, while the Norm Gailey Trophy for Champion State was presented to New South Wales.

 

The night also celebrated the inaugural inductees into the Cycling Australia Hall of Fame, with the inaugural inductee class featuring twelve of Australia’s finest, including nine athlete and three general category selections.

 

FULL LIST OF WINNERS 

Sir Hubert Opperman Medal – Jayco Australian Cyclist of the Year

Rohan Dennis (SA)

 

Subaru People’s Choice

Adam Hansen (QLD)

 

Elite Cyclists of the Year

Elite Road Cyclist of the Year Female - Katrin Garfoot (QLD)
Elite Road Cyclist of the Year Male - Rohan Dennis (SA)
Elite Track Cyclist of the Year Female - Annette Edmondson (SA)
Elite Track Cyclist of the Year Male - Glenn O’Shea (SA/formerly VIC)
Elite MTB Men - Troy Brosnan (SA)
Elite MTB Women - Janine Jungfels (QLD)

 

Junior Cyclists of the Year

Overall Junior Cyclist of the Year - Rohan Wight (SA)
Junior Women’s Track Cyclist of the Year - Danielle McKinnirey (SA)
Junior Men’s Track Cyclist of the Year - Rohan Wight (SA)
Junior Women’s Road Cyclist of the Year - Anna-Leeza Hull (NSW)
Junior Men’s Road Cyclist of the Year - Michael Storer (WA)
MTB Junior Women - Ellie Wale (VIC)
MTB Junior Men - Andrew Crimmins (NSW)

 

Rising Star

Caleb Ewan (NSW)

 

Para-cyclists of the Year

Para Cyclist of the Year Female Carol Cooke (VIC)
Para Cyclist of the Year Male Alistair Donohoe (VIC)

 

Masters Cyclists of the Year

Overall Masters Cyclist of the Year - Geoff Stoker (NSW)
Masters Track Cyclist of the Year Male - Geoff Stoker (NSW)
Masters Track Cyclist of the Year Female - Kerry Knowler (ACT)
Masters Road Cyclist of the Year Male - Stephen Fairless (VIC)
Masters Road Cyclist of the Year Female - Elizabeth Randall (VIC)

MTB Masters Women - Karen Evans (NSW)

MTB Masters Men - Brad Clarke (VIC)

 

Coach of the Year

Gary Sutton (Women’s High Performance Track Endurance)

 

Subaru National Road Series

Ruth Corset
High 5 Dream Team
Patrick Bevin
Avanti Racing Team

 

Subaru Australian Club Premiership

Port Adelaide Cycling Club

 

Norm Gailey Trophy (for Champion State)

New South Wales

 

Cycling Australia Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductees

1. Sir Hubert Opperman OBE KCSJ (Athlete category, posthumous)
2. Russell Mockridge (Athlete category, posthumous)
3. Edgar ‘Dunc' Gray (Athlete category, posthumous)
4. Sid Patterson (Athlete category, posthumous)
5. Phil Anderson (Athlete category)
6. Kathy Watt OAM (Athlete category)
7. Anna Wilson (Athlete category)
8. Robbie McEwen (Athlete category)
9. Sara Carrigan OAM (Athlete category)
10. Ray Godkin OAM (General category)
11. Charlie Walsh OAM (General category) 
12. Gerry Ryan OAM (General category)