Six-time cycling world champion Michael Hubner dies suddenly aged 65 as tributes pour in for German ‘sprint legend’

The German Cycling Federation have announced the death six-time world champion Michael Hubner at the age of 65.

Hubner passed away in hospital in Saxony after a sudden illness, with the news being confirmed on Tuesday.

The track cycling legend was known for his prominence in sprint events as he swept up a huge haul of accolades during the 1990s. 

He later became a mentor for top athletes in the sport including two-time Olympic champion Kristina Vogel, who has paid tribute to her former boss. 

‘This shocks all of us,’ Vogel told German newspaper Bild. ‘You have no words, you don’t know what to say. He was a sprint legend.

Hubner won six world championship titles in a glittering craaer within sprint racing on track

Hubner mentored two-time Olympic champion Kristina Vogel, who has paid tribute to him

‘He, Lutz Hesslich and Jens Fiedler were the ones who made sprinting big in Germany.’

During his illustrious career, Hubner won two world titles in the individual sprint, one in the team sprint, and three in the Keirin.

He is also well-known for breaking the world record in the men’s 200-metre time trial back in 1986, which he went on to hold for a whole year.

In 1997, Hubner decided to retire from professional competition. However, his influence within the sport would continue.

Hubner met Vogel, and other Olympic champions such as Lea Friedrich and Maximilian Levy, working as a senior management figure within cycling.

Until 2022, he was the sporting director for the track team TheedProjekt-Cycling, in which he mentored multiple top stars.

Hubner is survived by his two sons and leaves behind a legacy within the sport that will be remembered by many.