Geraint Thomas has been awarded 2011 Olympic Athlete of the Year trophy for cycling from the British Olympic Association (BOA).

Thomas has been influential to Team Sky's success this season

The award, introduced in 2005 to mark the BOA’s Centenary Year and the success of London being awarded the 2012 Olympic Games, sees the BOA present an award to each of the 33 summer and winter Olympic sports on an annual basis to their top performing athlete of the year.

Thomas, who won team pursuit gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, has played a crucial role in team Sky’s success as a true all-rounder on the road this season as well as claiming the general classification in the Bayern-Rundfahrt as well as winning team pursuit gold at the UCI Track World Cup in Manchester.

Andy Hunt, Team GB Chef de Mission and BOA Chief Executive, said: “British sportsmen and women have produced some truly outstanding performances throughout 2011, winning no less than 50 medals in Olympic disciplines at World Championships. While traditionally strong sports such as rowing, sailing and cycling have continued to deliver world leading results, it was exciting to see our boxing, triathlon and taekwondo squads achieve their best ever medal hauls in 2011.

“During the test events this year I saw first-hand the inspirational impact of the home crowd support on British athletes. The Olympic Athlete of the Year award celebrates the excellence of athletes who represent the very best of British talent in their respective Olympic sports. I wish all the award winners the very best as they enter the home straight of their preparations for London 2012, or continue their journey towards Sochi 2014.”