Spitz and Grabsch win German cyclists of the year

Sabine Spitz and Bert Grabsch have been named German cyclists of the year, as voted by German road magazine Radsport. Both riders have won important titles this year. Spitz received the gold medal in the Olympic Games in Beijing, whereas Grabsch won the time trial World Championships in Varese, Italy.

Spitz earned the top spot with 42.1 percent, ahead of newly crowned German cyclo-cross champion Hanka Kupfernagel (20.3 percent). Third place went to Judith Arndt (15.8 percent).

Spitz was happy with the prize. "It is nice that the Olympic victory and the other successes in 2008 were honoured by the cycling fans. It is good recognition, also for the sport of mountain biking. Thank you very much!"

The men's race was tighter, with Grabsch (28.8 percent) narrowly edging out his 2008 Columbia teammate Linus Gerdemann (27.3 percent). Track star and Beijing silver medalist Roger Kluge (12.1 percent) finished third.

Spitz also finished sixth in the recent vote for female sports person of the year in Germany, behind double Olympic Champion Britta Steffen, a swimmer.