Tom Kristensen is Danish Sportsman of the Decade - 05/01/10 The year 2010 could hardly have started any better for Audi 'factory' driver Tom Kristensen: The Dane was voted "Sportsman of the Decade" not once but twice in his native Denmark. The TV channel 'TV2' as well as the major daily newspaper 'Berlingske Tidende' awarded the prestigious title to the record Le Mans winner. PHOTO COURTESY OF AUDI SPORT "I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me and helped me receive these two awards," said the Audi driver. "Ten years ago, I wouldn't have even dreamed of being so successful some day. But back then I had the great fortune of joining Audi. It's a big privilege to have been a member of one of the world's best race teams for as much as a decade now." The eight-time Le Mans winner clearly prevailed against such popular athletes as tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki, bicycle racer Michael Rasmussen and U.S. football star Morten Andersen in the votings. Tom Kristensen was also recently recognized by "Autosport," magazine which voted the Dane "Sports Car Driver of the Decade", followed in second place by Allan McNish as another Audi 'factory' driver. Tom Kristensen has been competing for Audi since 2000 and has meanwhile won the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours eight times, the Sebring 12 Hours five times, the 'Petit Le Mans' race at Road Atlanta and the LMP1 title in the American Le Mans Series in 2002. In addition, the Dane contested the DTM for Audi from 2004 to 2009, celebrating a total of four victories in the Audi A4. In 2010, Tom Kristensen wants to fully concentrate on his greatest passion: on sports car races with Audi. Yet again, the highlight will be the Le Mans 24 Hours on June 12/13.