Kristoff year name: – It was perhaps a little “payback” – VG

HAMAR / OSLO (AP) Alexander Kristoff got many in the back when he was nominated for the year male athlete. Saturday night he stuck with the audience prize for names.

– Thank you, all the same. I must thank my wife, without her I had not been here today. I have to thank Stein Eagles, my trainer. Without him, I had probably not been cyclist. Last but not least, I must thank everyone who has voted for me, said Kristoff in his acceptance speech.

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Many had before gala responded that Alexander Kristoff was not nominated for the award year male athlete. Although he believed the nominees are worthy enough to keep him out of the game.

– I had not quite believed, but it may turbulence last week helped me a little forward, says Kristoff VG.

– It was perhaps a little “payback,” but I was not as sour as the media would have it. Those who were nominated were worthy candidates. It is perhaps a glass of champagne now, but not much, for approaching season.

PROUD WINNER: Alexander Kristoff was the audience favorite, and went home with the price Name of the year under Sports Gala at Hamar. Photo: Terje Bendiksby , NTB scanpix

Kvålsvoll: – Fair

– This is in many ways the greatest prize and it is the people who decide. It proves that people realize how big it he has performed during the year, says former pro cyclist and bike trainer Atle Kvålsvoll VG.

He went hard against jury when Kristoff was excluded from nominations to award year male performer, and believe this says a lot about the status of cycling in Norway.

– Basically it horrible that he was not nominated this year male athlete so this was very fair. It just shows how big bike is in Norway. We know what status cross country and other winter sports in Norway so it says its a cyclist gets voted off.

Price to “Zucca”

In advance of Sports Gala reacted Mats Zuccarello and Alexander Kristoff was not nominated in the category year male athlete.

– Who decides who gets nominated? In people’s voice in VG stood well Zucca pretty loud wrote national team colleague Ole-Kristian Tollefsen on Twitter.

– We live well with the nominations, said juror Else-Marthe Sørlie Lybekk heading into this year’s gala.

It was nevertheless award to both Kristoff and NHL pro. The latter can call themselves the Year team player in 2014.

– Thank you! I want to thank NTG Bærum, family and friends. They are there and support and means everything to me, said Zucca, from New York, in a clip shown on the big screen in the hall.