Lutz Heßlich

Lutz Heßlich is the greatest amateur track sprinter never to ride as a professional. His total of four amateur world titles (1979, 1983, 1985, 1987) is only bettered by Daniel Morelon. Additionally, Heßlich was runner-up on three occasions (1981-82, 1986) and won the Olympic gold in 1980 and 1988, years in which no amateur World Championships were staged. Heßlich might have won three consecutive gold medals at the Olympics, had East Germany not boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics. In 1976 and 1977, Heßlich was also the Junior World Champion in the sprint.