Maria Cressari
Born on 27 December 1943, Cressari was the Italian road race champion in 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1973 and twice the pursuit champion. She also established a women’s new hour record in 1972 in Mexico City in the Olympic Velodrome, where she bettered Ely Jacobs’ record. Her average speed was 41.471km/h, and her record stood for six years. After 17 years as a competitor, she retired from active sport and became the Sports Director of the women’s national team for four years. Following on from that, she took on the role of Track Manager for the Italian track team for two years.
Sabine Spitz
Spitz turned 49 on the 27th of December. The German cyclocross and MTB rider won bronze at the 2004 Olympics, silver in 2012 and gold at the 2008 Olympics. She also became World, European and multiple-time National Champion. Now she campaigns for the promotion of cycling in schools and has become an ambassador for the UN Decade on Biodiversity.
Ciska Hage
The Dutch rider celebrated her 71st birthday on the 29th of December. She grew up in a family of cyclists, with her sisters Keetie van Oosten-Hage, Bella and Heleen Hage and two brothers, all involved in the sport. Although not quite achieving the level of success of her sisters, Ciska nevertheless continued to ride competitively at a professional level for several years. |
