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The Manx Missile was awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours
Mark Cavendish was left “speechless” after being awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours last week. The Astana-Qazaqstan rider, preparing for his last Tour de France in just over a week, has become Sir Mark Cavendish, ready for one final tilt at the Tour stage win record.
The 39-year-old, who is in his last year as a professional cyclist, followed Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny in becoming a cycling knight. “I am completely honoured,” he said. “Speechless, really.
“Obviously everything I do in my career is for the results. You put the work in, you get it. To have that recognised by His Majesty the King is pretty special. I am truly humbled. There are some incredible names on the list who have been honoured for services they have done for the country this last year. To be alongside those names is very special.”
His first coach, Dot Tilbury, who came into contact with Cavendish at the National Sports Centre in Douglas, Isle of Man, said that it was “well deserved” and that it “couldn’t go to a better person”.
“I just think it has been so long coming,” she told Cycling Weekly on Friday. “What he’s done for British cycling, world cycling, is just amazing, and to think he comes from an island in the middle of the Irish Sea... He has been world champion, ruled the Tour de France, there aren’t many accolades left for him to get, apart from the one we all want. It’s fantastic news, and so well deserved. I couldn’t think of anyt
