Highest sporting honour: German cyclists are awarded the Silver Laurel Leaf
Thomas Musch
· 24.01.2026
The Federal Republic of Germany has honoured ten outstanding personalities in German cycling with the Silver Laurel Leaf. Those honoured include Nikias Arndt, Franziska Brauße, Lisa Brennauer, Pauline Grabosch, Lisa Klein, Mieke Kröger, Tony Martin, Andreas Seewald, Laura Süßemilch and Max Walscheid.
The award recognises athletes who have represented German cycling at the highest level in various disciplines over the years and whose successes have made them internationally visible. Franziska Brauße, Mieke Kröger, Laura Süßemilch and Maximilian Walscheid were present in person at the award ceremony to receive their awards, while the other recipients were unable to attend.
Significance of the award
The Silver Laurel Leaf is the highest state honour for sporting success in Germany. With this award, the Federal President honours athletes who have rendered outstanding services to German sport. Bernd Dankowski, President of German Cycling e.V., emphasised the significance of this honour: "This award fills us with great gratitude and deep respect. The honoured athletes not only stand for medals and titles, but also for attitude, reliability and genuine passion for our sport. They have shaped German cycling and are role models - both in competition and beyond." The award was presented by the new Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering, Dr Christiane Schenderlein. She honoured more than 80 athletes in total. The fact that ten of them are cyclists emphasises the high status that cycling enjoys in Germany.
World champion title in track cycling
Franziska Brauße received the Silver Laurel Leaf for her world title in the track team pursuit in 2021. This is the second time the track cyclist has received the award, after being honoured for her Olympic success in Tokyo in November 2021. "It's a great honour for me to receive the Silver Laurel Leaf for the second time. It shows that the years of work you put into your sport are being recognised and appreciated. I am very pleased about this recognition, which goes far beyond our cycling world," said Brauße on the occasion of the award ceremony.
Success in mixed teams
Mieke Kröger was honoured for her world championship titles at the 2021 UCI World Championships. She triumphed both on the road in the mixed relay and on the track in the team pursuit. This is also Kröger's second Silver Laurel Leaf award, after she was honoured in November 2021 for her success with the track four at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. "Receiving the Silver Laurel Leaf is a very special honour for me. The successes at the 2021 World Championships stand for intensive teamwork and many years together at the highest level. This award shows how valuable team spirit and trust are in competitive sport, and I am very grateful for that," said Kröger.
Team spirit in road cycling
Max Walscheid received the award for his world championship title with the German mixed relay team at the 2021 Road World Championships. Walscheid emphasised the emotional significance of this title: "I am delighted to have been awarded the Silver Laurel Leaf. The world championship title from 2021 is still very emotional for me today because we rode an exceptionally good race and the world championships in Belgium were something very special." It was particularly moving for him that it was the last race alongside Tony Martin, who was also honoured with the Silver Laurel Leaf. Walscheid also emphasised the importance of the mixed relay: "The relay is generally very close to my heart because it combines the strengths of both sexes and creates a special team spirit. I am proud of the rainbow jersey that has been hanging in my wardrobe ever since - and I hope to continue this success story."
Thomas Musch
Publisher
