Hanka Kupfernagel

In 2000, Hanka Kupfernagel became the first female cyclo-cross World Champion. In the next 10 editions through 2010, she medaled nine times, winning the 2001, 2005 and 2008 championships while finishing second on five occasions. But Kupfernagel has also excelled on the road. In 2007, she won the time trial at the road racing World Championships, and at the Sydney 2000 Olympics captured a silver medal in the road race.

She came back to the Olympics in 2008 at Beijing, but was less successful. At the 1998 World Championships on the road, she won bronze medals in the time trial and road race. Kupfernagel has also competed in track cycling World Cups and has won German mountainbiking titles.