Mark Cavendish to receive special SPOTY award for ‘redefining what is possible’ in cycling despite the British legend’s shock snub for main prize

Mark Cavendish will receive the Lifetime Achievement award at Tuesday night’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

The British cycling legend was surprisingly left off the main six-person SPOTY shortlist despite breaking the Tour de France stage wins record in July.

However, the reasons for Cavendish’s omission have now become clearer with the announcement that he will be honoured with Lifetime Achievement gong at the show in Salford instead.

The 39-year-old – who won the main SPOTY award in 2011 – will become the second cyclist to receive the special prize after Chris Hoy in 2014. Liverpool and Scotland football legend Kenny Dalglish was the recipient last year.

‘Mark Cavendish has redefined what is possible in the world of cycling,’ said Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport. ‘From his medals on the track to his breathtaking Tour de France record, his determination to achieve greatness is nothing short of extraordinary.

‘Mark has inspired generations of athletes and fans alike through his sporting achievements and openness about his mental health struggles.

Earlier this year he broke Eddy Merckx’s Tour de France all-time stage wins record 

Mary Earps is the holder of the SPOTY main prize with Keely Hodgkinson favourite to win

‘His legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time makes him a truly deserving winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement award.’

Cavendish is the most successful cycling sprinter of all time, making history earlier this year when he took his 35th stage win in the Tour de France to break the record he had held jointly with Eddy Merckx.

The Manxman also won the road world title in 2011, 17 stages in the Giro d’Italia and three in the Vuelta a Espana, as well as a silver medal in the omnium at the 2016 Olympics.

‘I dreamed of being like my heroes when I was young,’ said Cavendish. ‘That gave me inspiration to train, to compete, to travel. If you can be that name that inspires, then I think that’s an important legacy to leave.’

Cavendish did not make the six-person shortlist for this year’s main award, which is headed by Olympic 800 metres champion Keely Hodgkinson, who is expected to become the fourth straight female winner.

Luke Littler is the second favourite ahead of Alex Yee, Joe Root, Judge Bellingham and Sarah Storey.