Keely Hodgkinson strikes gold in Paris Olympics 2024
- Mark Cavendish, a British cycling legend, was excluded from the main SPOTY shortlist despite breaking the Tour de France stage wins record.
- He will instead receive the Lifetime Achievement award recognizing his extraordinary contributions and influence in cycling.
- This award aims to highlight his legacy and the inspiration he has provided to future generations of athletes.
In a surprising decision, British cyclist Mark Cavendish was omitted from the main shortlist for the Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) award despite a historic achievement of breaking the Tour de France stage wins record earlier this year. The announcement clarified the reasons behind his absence from the six-person shortlist. Instead, Cavendish is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement award during the televised ceremony taking place in Salford, which will honor his remarkable contributions to cycling over his illustrious career. At 39, Cavendish already holds the record for the most successful cycling sprinter of all time, showcasing a legacy that includes 35 stage wins in the Tour de France. This award recognizes not only his sporting achievements but also his influence on the sport and visibility he has brought to mental health discussions, a topic he has openly addressed throughout his career. The director of BBC Sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, highlighted Cavendish's inspiring journey, stating that he has redefined what is possible in cycling and has inspired a new generation of athletes, making him a deserving recipient of this honor. The Lifetime Achievement award follows a pattern of recognizing notable figures in cycling, with Chris Hoy being the previous recipient in 2014. The ceremony is highly anticipated, with Kieran Reilly, Keely Hodgkinson, and other star athletes also being highlighted, although Cavendish's presence is set to be a remarkable highlight of the evening.