Sir Mark Cavendish has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the BBC after being left out of the broadcaster’s 2024 Sports Personality of the Year shortlist.
The 39-year-old ended a two-decade career last month, retiring as the record holder for all-time Tour de France stage wins and earning the honor of being the greatest sprinter of all time.
After a record win on Stage 35 in July, Cavendish became one of the bookmakers’ favorites to win this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, which he won in 2011. He was left out of a shortlist of six athletes announced last week, but his career will still be celebrated at Tuesday’s ceremony.
Cavendish told the outlet: “It’s an amazing feeling – it’s such an honour.” British Broadcasting Corporation. “I would say legacy is important. Most people like to be remembered for something. If you are remembered for something, that’s an honor.
“I dreamed of being like my heroes when I was young. That gave me inspiration to train, compete, travel and if you can be that name that inspires me then I think that’s an important legacy.
“Over my career I’ve seen cycling in particular grow in this country, people racing, people commuting, people just enjoying their bikes. Kids going out with their families, just on Sundays. I don’t know if I’m involved “
Celebrating an incredible athlete and an incredible career. Sir @MarkCavendish will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year. #SPOTY | Tuesday 19:00 GMT | BBC One, BBC iPlayer pic.twitter.com/jlY3cfaGpBDecember 16, 2024
Cavendish, one of the original members of the British Cycling Academy in 2004, began his road career in 2005 and made his Tour de France debut in 2007. He went on to win the road world championship, an Olympic silver medal and multiple stages of the Tour de France. the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España, but it was the Tour de France that really defined his career.
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“I love this sport, I’ve always loved this sport, especially the Tour de France,” he said after winning a sprint in his final race – the Singapore Lap – last month. “The Tour de France is more than just a cycling race, it’s the biggest annual sporting event in the world. It’s a kid’s dream, it’s a grown-up’s dream, it’s something you pretend to do when you’re training.”
Cavendish’s 35 Tour stage wins and two green jerseys account for 22% of his total wins (out of 165).
It’s unclear what the sprinter will do after he retires. “I’m really looking forward to the rest of my career, just not on a bike,” he said. He has previously stated that he Want to work in sports management.
Founded in 1996, Cavendish is the second cyclist to win the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, following Sir Chris Hoy in 2014.
The Manx man will be honored at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards on Tuesday night.
