Chris Froome wins Velo d'Or for the third time

Chris Froome has won the Velo d’Or, one of the most prestigious awards in cycling, for the third time.

This year saw the Team Sky rider become the first man to follow up victory in the Tour de France by winning the Vuelta since the Spanish race moved to its current late season slot.

He also won bronze in the individual time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Bergen, Norway.

The award was presented by one of the only other two riders to have won the Tour de France and Vuelta during the same year, Bernard Hinault.

Froome received it at today's presentation of the route of the 2018 Tour de France at the Palais des Congres in Paris.

He said: “It was a really special season and one I will remember for the rest of my life.”

The 10 nominees for the Velo d’Or are chosen by a panel of journalists from France’s Velo magazine.

18 judges, drawn from 18 countries, then elect the winner.

Froome's previous wins came in 2013 and 2015., while last year he was runner-up to Peter Sagan.

With Lance Armstrong stripped of his five wins following his doping ban, only Alberto Contador, with four victories, has won the Velo d'Or more times than Froome.

Instituted in 1992, the only other British winner was Sir Bradley Wiggins in 2012.