Queensland para-cyclist Korey Boddington has been awarded the most prestigious prize in Australian cycling, winning the Sir Hubert Opperman Trophy for the 2025 Australian Cyclist of the Year.
The four-time world champion was presented with the Oppy Medal at the AusCycling Awards ceremony in Brisbane today.
Boddington, 30, achieved outstanding success at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Rio de Janeiro in October. He won the men’s C3 world titles in three individual events – the sprint, 1km time trial and elimination race – before producing a crucial performance in third wheel to clinch victory for the ARA Australian Cycling Team in the mixed C1-5 team sprint.
He comprehensively broke two world records in the process: the flying 200m and the 1km time trial.
Boddington after setting a world record in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo: SWpix.com)
Boddington, who grew up on the Sunshine Coast and represents the University of Queensland Cycle Club, also won five Oceania titles and four national titles in 2025.
Today’s accolade is the latest in Boddington’s meteoric rise over the last two years.
At the age of 11, Boddington was hit by a van, suffering serious injuries including nerve damage to his right arm. At age 15, a severe motocross accident left him with an acquired brain injury. He began track cycling in early 2023, won a Paralympic gold medal in 2024, and now joins the likes of Anna Meares and Cadel Evans on an exclusive honour roll.
“I just want to be as fast as I can be. I’ve got this crazy dream, I want to go under a minute [in the 1km time trial] and under 10 seconds in the 200. I think, if I keep chasing them goals, we can kick a lot of goals along the way. Why not see what’s possible?” he said at the awards ceremony before going on to thank his supporters.
Celebrating victory in the mixed team sprint at the UCI World Championships. (Photo: SWpix.com)
In his acceptance speech, Boddington said it hadn’t been difficult to stay motivated after the highs of Paris 2024.
“I just want to be as fast as I can be. I’ve got this crazy dream, I want to go under a minute [in the 1km time trial] and under 10 seconds in the 200. I think if I keep chasing them goals, we can kick a lot of goals along the way. Why not see what’s possible?” he said, before going on to thank his supporters.
“The QAS have just been phenomenal in my success. In everything, they’ve supported me. David Betts – anyone that’s seen the film [Changing Track], there was point in time where they sat me down and said, ‘Paris is probably a bit too big to plan for, so we’ll look towards LA, but you’ve got potential.’
“In my cocky head, I kind of went, ‘Yeah, alright mate, watch this.’ And I went to Paris and won.
“My fiancée, she’s studying medicine, she’s a big inspiration. She’s taken a lot of sacrifices in our relationship and makes me want to go hard and make it worthwhile.
“AusCycling supported from day one. Haven’t blinked an eye.
“My favourite part of Paris last year was coming back to Australia and going to the welcome home ceremonies. You realise the results are bloody awesome, but seeing how sport brings the whole community together, getting behind the Aussies, that’s what it’s all about.”
The man affectionately known as the 'Flying Burrito' won four rainbow jerseys this year. (Photo: SWpix.com)
Marne Fechner, Chief Executive Office of AusCycling, congratulated the winners and finalists of the AusCycling Awards.
“Throughout this year, Australia’s cyclists and riders have shown the discipline, perseverance and strength of character it takes to succeed on our sport’s biggest stage.
“Korey’s performances on the track, highlighted by his four World Championship gold medals, have been nothing short of outstanding. Just as importantly, Korey’s story of determination – learning to walk and talk again after his life-changing injuries, then dedicating himself to his Paralympic dream – challenges our assumptions about what we can all achieve.
“To become the Australian Cyclist of the Year less than two years since becoming competitive cycling – that is a remarkable achievement.”
Boddington becomes only the second para-cyclist to win the Oppy, two years after Amanda Reid achieved the feat in 2023.
“For two para-cyclists to win the Oppy in the last three years reflects the strength and depth of Australian para-cycling,” Fechner said. “It’s a testament to the world-leading staff and systems we have in place to support our athletes.”
The Sir Hubert Opperman Trophy, named after the legendary cyclist of the 1920s and 30s, was first awarded to Russell Mockridge in 1958.
BMX Race Male Athlete of the Year
Izaac Kennedy recorded the best result of his career at the UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Copenhagen, crossing the finish line in the silver medal, world number two position. Earlier in the season, the Gold Coast rider started the defence of his UCI BMX Racing World Cup overall title impressively, finishing second and third at the opening rounds in Sarrians before a crash in Papendal thwarted his campaign.
BMX Race Female Athlete of the Year
After a surreal 2024 season, Olympic champion Saya Sakakibara continued to show why she is at the top of the world, winning silver at the UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Copenhagen before ticking off a third consecutive UCI BMX Racing World Cup overall title a month later.
Sakakibara recorded finishes of second, fifth, second, second, first and first over six World Cup stops. Back home, the star rider reclaimed the elite national title at the GWM BMX Racing National Championships at Macarthur BMX Club.
Para-cycling Road Male Athlete of the Year
Darren Hicks returned to the para-cycling road world championships podium in 2025 adding another silver medal to his trophy cabinet. The South Australian finished second in a nail-biting finish with a two second buffer. He backed up the results with a strong performance in the road race to finish 7th.
A consistent performer on the world stage, he also won UCI Para Road World Cup time trial bronze and at home took out the national title in both time trial and road race.
Para-cycling Road Female Athlete of the Year
Lauren Parker continued to be a force to be reckoned with on the road in 2025. This year the handcyclist from Newcastle won the time trial and road race double at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships. She was also part of Australia’s first mixed H relay team to compete at a world championships together with Alex Welsh and Grant Allen. Parker set a blistering speed in the race and help the team secure silver on debut.
Para-cycling Track Male Athlete of the Year
Korey Boddington’s stardom reached new heights in 2025, winning four rainbow jerseys at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships. The 'Flying Burrito' also set new world records in the flying 200m and 1km time trial.
Para-cycling Track Female Athlete of the Year
Tahlia Clayton-Goodie returned home from the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships with the addition of four gold medals and rainbow jerseys from the women’s C1 classification. The Victorian can now also call herself a world record holder after posting a new 1km time trial benchmark that was eight seconds faster than the outgoing record.
The Geelong and Surf Coast Cycling Club star ends her season holding all six of the women’s C1 world championships across track and road — an outstanding achievement for an outstanding athlete.
Mountain Bike Male Athlete of the Year
Daniel Booker couldn’t have started his season any better than taking the opening event of the 2025 Enduro World Cup at Pietra Ligura - Finale Outdoor Region. His purple patch of form continued when he again took the top step of the podium in Loudenville, France a few weeks later. Another two top 10 finishes for the season would see the Tasmanian end the season fourth on the enduro global rankings.
Mountain Bike Female Athlete of the Year
After claiming the XCC title with ease at the GWM MTB National Championships, Rebecca Henderson would produce one of her most hard-fought XCO wins when she overcame a crash on the first lap − which resulted in a fractured right shoulder − treacherous wind, rain and fog to take the sprint finish and record her 12th elite title.
Overseas, the Canberran recorded six top-10 UCI World Cup finishes across the XCC and XCO disciplines and an eighth-place finish at the UCI World Championships.
BMX Freestyle Male Athlete of the Year
Year after year Logan Martin shows why he is one of the greatest BMX Freestyle riders of his generation. At the end of 2024 he made history when he clinched his third UCI BMX freestyle world title. Then in 2025 he again finished on the podium at the UCI world championships, this time winning the bronze. Remarkably, Martin has made the podium in six out of seven world championship appearances.
BMX Freestyle Female Athlete of the Year
Queensland’s Natalya Diehm continues to solidify her place as not only the best female rider in Australia, but among the best in the world. In 2025, she clinched her first World Cup podium, claiming bronze in Japan and third overall. Diehm earned top-10 finishes at the 2024 and 2025 UCI BMX Freestyle World Championships. This year, she also won her fifth national title as she pushed the boundaries by landing world-first tricks.
Road Male Athlete of the Year
Canberra’s Jay Vine continues to impress as one of the world’s foremost climbers and time-trialists. In 2025, victories in Italy and Switzerland led to an excellent Vuelta a España, where Vine won two summit finishes, the team time trial, and secured his second consecutive Mountains Classification.
In Rwanda, Vine won his first individual medal at a World Championships, claiming silver in the time trial. A few days later, he once again helped drive Australia to victory in the mixed relay team time trial. Podium results and top-10 finishes throughout the season make the 30-year-old the Road Male Athlete of the Year.
Road Female Athlete of the Year
After undergoing surgery for iliac artery endofibrosis, Sarah Gigante was back to her best in 2025. The Melbourne climber stole the show at the Giro d’Italia, dominating two mountaintop finishes, winning the QOM jersey and placing third on general classification.
Gigante also climbed brilliantly at the biggest race of the year, the Tour de Frace Femmes, where she was second on the decisive stage atop the Col de la Madeleine.
Track Male Athlete of the Year
Thrust into the role of Australia’s new leading force in men’s track sprinting, Leigh Hoffman rose to the occasion in 2025. The Whyalla Cycling Club product won the first individual Track World Championship medals of his career in Santiago, powering to keirin silver and sprint bronze on top of a fourth consecutive team sprint medal after the squad won bronze.
Over a busy February and March period that included a UCI Track Nations Cup in Konya, Hoffman won two Oceania titles in sprint and team sprint, plus two national titles in the same events.
Track Female Athlete of the Year
Alessia McCaig turned in the best year yet of her young career, winning team sprint bronze at the UCI Track World Championships in Santiago and finishing fourth in the keirin. The talented sprinter from Bendigo defended her sprint and keirin national titles at the AusCycling Track National Championships and also won team sprint and sprint silver at the Oceania Championships.
Team of the Year
Mixed Relay Team Time Trial
The ARA Australian Cycling Team arrived in Rwanda with the weight of expectation, having openly stated their goal of defending the rainbow bands in the mixed relay team time trial.
After the men’s trio of Luke Plapp, Michael Matthews and Jay Vine set the fastest time on the first leg, Amanda Spratt, Brodie Chapman and under-23 rider Felicity Wilson-Haffenden finished the job, clinching back-to-back world titles for Australia.
Cyclo-cross Female Athlete of the Year
In 2025, Bendigo's Peta Mullens has shown again why she is one of the country’s most talented cross-discipline riders.
The Victorian took out the elite women’s cyclo-cross national title in Ballarat for the first time since 2019. She backed up the next day to seize victory in the CX Ballarat UCI C2 race.
Cyclo-cross Male Athlete of the Year
As the domestic CX season reached its peak, Tristan Nash put himself to the fore, winning Rounds 5 and 6 of the AusCycling National Series in Adelaide. He carried that form into the national championships in Ballarat, where the young West Australian produced a powerhouse display to claim his maiden elite title.
Gravel Female Athlete of the Year
2025 was a sensational year for Tasmania’s Nicole Frain, who established herself as one of the top gravel riders in the world. A decision to fully focus on the off-road discipline paid off for the former road national champion. The 33-year-old dominated the UCI Gravel World Series, claiming the overall ranking. Throughout the season, she notched two victories and four second-place finishes.
Gravel Male Athlete of the Year
Brendan Johnston had an exceptional year at home and abroad, racing his third season in the United States of America. Setting the tone for 2025, the Canberran kicked off his year with a win at RADL GRVL in South Australia. He went on take back-to-back victories at UCI Gravel World Series events Devil’s Cardigan and Gravelista, and finished third at the Gravel National Championships.
Overseas, 'Trekky' showed his consistency to be fighting at the front of some of the biggest gravel races in the world. He finished fifth in Sea Otter Lifetime Gravel and Unbound Gravel – both part of the Lifetime Grand Prix – won the Salty Lizard and finished eighth at Lauf Gravel Worlds.
Esport Female Athlete of the Year
Victorian rider Matilda Field demonstrated her commitment when she won the AusCycling Esports National Championships from the other side of the world, competing from a hotel in Spain. Later in the year, Field broke through on the global stage when she qualified for the final of the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships with a last-gasp effort in the points race. She finished 19th overall at the live final.
Esport Male Athlete of the Year
Launceston’s Josh Harris has won the award for the second year in the row, continuing to set the benchmark for this discipline in Australia. Harris won the AusCycling Esports National Championships in April, fending off attack after attack in tough race. He returned to Abu Dhabi for the final of the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, where, after qualifying in 9th place, he ultimately finished 14th.
Masters Road Female Athlete of the Year
Jenny Pettenon excelled at the AusCycling Masters & Junior Road National Championships, winning the time trial and road race in the masters 5 category and setting the fastest time of any woman on the ITT course. The Hawthorn rider backed up with a standout performance at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in her home state. There, Pettenon claimed the world titles and rainbow bands in both the time trial and road race. She was also part of the Australian team that won the silver medal in the team relay.
Masters Road Male Athlete of the Year
Sydney’s Roger Cull has been a stalwart of masters racing for many years. In 2025, he strung together a raft of standout performances, headlined by winning the time trial at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in the 70–74 category. He backed that up with second in the road race. Earlier in the year, in his age group Cull won the Steadyrack Gran Fondo National Championships, Tour de Brisbane, and criterium at the AusCycling Masters & Junior National Championships. He also took silver in the masters 9 road race and time trial at those National Championships.
Masters BMX Female Athlete of the Year
Two years ago, Cowaramup BMX Club’s Nerida Stokes jumped on her bike and rode for the first time in 25 years. Fast-forward to 2025, and Stokes found herself lining up in a UCI BMX Racing World Championships final for masters women in Copenhagen. The mother-of-three would finish seventh, earning the W7 plate.
Masters BMX Male Athlete of the Year
Suncoast Hinterland BMX Club’s Corey Frieswyk was on a mission at the UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Copenhagen. He passed the test with rainbow colours, becoming masters world champion. The Sunshine Coast rider accomplished his dream the hard way after crashing in his first moto down the first straight. Frieswyk then clicked off four moto wins in a row, including an eventful final, to win the rainbow jersey.
Masters Mountain Bike Male Athlete of the Year
This Outlook Riders Alliance rider has had a year to remember. The Queenslander claimed the Masters 6 downhill national title at the GWM Mountain Bike National Championships in Mt Buller before going on to conquer the UCI Masters World Championships in Cairns in the 55-59 category.
Masters Mountain Bike Female Athlete of the Year
Bev Anderson is no stranger to the top of the podium. This year was an exceptional one as she walked away with the gold in the women's masters 8 XCC and XCO titles at the GWM MTB National Championships in Mt Buller. The Canberra rider also made it another XCO rainbow jersey at the UCI Masters MTB World Championships in Cairns.
Masters Track Female Athlete of the Year
Brunswick Cycling Club’s Genevieve Jordan won the 35–44 team sprint world title in an all-conquering team of three mums from Melbourne at the UCI Masters Track World Championships in France. Jordan wasn’t done there, adding an individual rainbow jersey to her collection in the 50–54 sprint.
Masters Track Male Athlete of the Year
The evergreen Jim Veal continues to win rainbow jerseys at the UCI Masters Track World Championships. He added two more this year in the sprint and 500m time trial for 75– 79 men in France. The Canberran, who is an integral part of the Vikings Cycling Club, also enjoyed success at the AusCycling Masters Track National Championships in Brisbane, winning green-and-gold jerseys for the sprint, 500m time trial and keirin.
Junior Road Female Athlete of the Year
A consistent performer across the year, Penrith’s Hannah Gianatti secured two top-five places at the AusCycling Road National Championships before going toe-to-toe with the elite field in the ProVelo Super League, where she placed third overall at the Harbour City GP. A solid stint in Europe was followed by a representative berth at the World Championships, where Gianatti was Australia’s top placegetter in the time trial and a strong performer in the road race.
Junior Road Male Athlete of the Year
Max Goold began the year in perfect fashion, winning the junior time trial at the AusCycling Road National Championships. After spending the summer in Europe, the Blackburn Cycling Club rider earned a place on the national team for the World Championships. In Rwanda, he placed 10th in the time trial and 23rd in the road race.
Junior BMX Female Athlete of the Year
Charli Guy started her year on the front foot at the Oceania Championships, winning silver in New Zealand before returning home and powering to a breakthrough Superclass win in the AusCycling National Series in Shepparton. In Europe, racing up a class in the under-23s, the Ashmore BMX Club rising star picked up two top-15 finishes at the UCI BMX Racing World Cup in Papendal. Back racing as a junior at the UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Copenhagen, Guy finished sixth.
Junior BMX Male Athlete of the Year
In his first year as an under-19, Cam Gatt produced a season befitting his potential. The Geelong talent scored Oceania bronze and added a maiden Superclass podium result at the AusCycling National Series. At the UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Copenhagen, Gatt narrowly missed a spot in the final and ultimately finished 10th, notching Australia’s highest finish in junior men. Gatt rounded out his year with a junior silver medal at the GWM BMX Racing National Championships.
Junior Mountain Bike Female Athlete of the Year
Tasmanian enduro dynamo Lacey Adams dominated the junior women’s circuit in 2025. She rode to the overall win in the UCI Mountain Bike EDR World Series with three race wins, two silvers and a bronze. Her campaign included three straight World Cup round victories, with a dramatic finale at Val di Fassa in Italy. Adams finished just outside the medals in fourth at the UCI MTB World Championships in Switzerland.
Junior Mountain Bike Male Athlete of the Year
Western Australia's Connor Wright claimed two golds at the GWM MTB National Championships in Mt Buller, winning the under-19 short-track and Olympic cross-country events. On the world stage at the UCI MTB World Championships in Crans-Montana, Wright showed composure and power to finish a superb sixth in the junior XCO event. He also posted a podium at the Junior World Series in Nové Město earlier in the year.
Junior Track Female Athlete of the Year
Anna Dubier achieved every cyclist’s dream by winning the rainbow jersey with a scintillating points race performance at UCI Junior Track World Championships in Apeldoorn. That dream night was followed by a Madison bronze medal alongside Amelie Sanders, as well as fifth in the elimination race. In Australia, Dubier has continued to carve out a reputation as an elite and clever racer by claiming both the junior Oceania and national points race titles to complete a perfect set of points race crowns for the year. The Sydneysider also scored podiums in the Oceania omnium and national scratch race, team pursuit, team sprint and omnium.
Junior Track Male Athlete of the Year
Toby Jones delivered a year of highs on the track, the highlight being fourth in the individual pursuit at the UCI Junior Track World Championships in Apeldoorn. Earlier in the season, the Balmoral Cycling Club product added four junior national titles to his growing tally across the AusCycling Track National Championships in Brisbane and Austral Wheelrace week in Melbourne, winning the individual pursuit, omnium, Madison with Alex Hewes and team pursuit as a key member of the powerful Queensland squad that set a new Championship record.