Richie Porte named Australian cyclist of the year

The 36-year-old Tasmanian was named the 64^th winner of the Sir Hubert 'Oppy' Opperman Medal on Wednesday after taking out the AusCycling cyclist of the year award for a dream season on the bike.

Competing in his final year with Trek-Segafredo, Porte began 2020 with his second Tour Down Under general classification victory.

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There was better to come.

After years of near misses and unfortunate crashes, Porte completed the "ultimate dream" of his career in September by becoming just the second Australian to finish on the Tour de France podium.

The Launceston father-of-two was just as thrilled to win his first Oppy Medal.

"It has been something I have always wanted to do, so to take it out finally, it is of great satisfaction," said Porte, who plans to retire at the completion of a two-year contract with INEOS Grenadiers.

"When you look at the future of Australian cycling, there are so many good riders coming through.

"So, to have my name up there now alongside cyclists like Cadel Evans, Rohan Dennis, Mat Hayman and Caroline Buchanan, it is an absolute privilege and honour."

Porte's tenth Tour de France was not without its moments.

In addition to making the tough decision to miss the birth of his daughter Eloise, the 2016 Rio Olympian suffered multiple punctures and entered the stage 20 time trial about 100 seconds off third place.

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But every hardship was made worthwhile.

"As much as last year was about finally making that step onto the podium in the Tour de France, to have won the Tour Down Under in front of the great Australian fans in Adelaide was absolutely brilliant," Porte said.

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"Also thank you to all the Australian fans who stayed up until the wee hours watching the Tour and hopefully see you back on the roadside in 2021 supporting us."

Porte, who also won male road cyclist of the year, was the sole Tasmanian recognised in the 2020 AusCycling awards.