"What an honour. Thanks to Gazzetta and all my fans in Italy," Maze said on Twitter in response to the news.

The 31-year-old slalom and giant slalom specialist finished ahead of tennis player Serena Williams (22.6%) and swimmer Katie Ledecky (12.4%).

Gazetta dello Sport picked the reigning Tour de France champion, Italian cyclists Vincenzo Nibali, for male athlete of the year, while football World Cup champions Germany have been declared the team of the year.