Mark Cavendish was lost for words as he took to the stage to accept his prize. The most telling part of his acceptance speech was his modesty and humbleness. He was very quick to thank his support group and GB teammates who helped him become World Champion and green jersey winner of the Tour de France this year. He has always maintained that his personal success is built upon the combined efforts of whichever team he cycles within, and Thursday night was no different.
Cavendish's temperament and persona has often been misinterpreted or misconstrued in the past. He is clearly a very focused athlete who knows his own abilities, and it is this that has seemed to some to come across as some kind of arrogance. If you were to ask him who the best sprinter in world road cycling is, he would answer 'me'. That isn't arrogance, but an acknowledgement that he is indeed the best, and an understanding that right now he sits on top of the world in his sport.
Tellingly, he also commented in his acceptance how it was fantastic for cycling to be recognised on such a big stage in the company of all the other major sports in the UK, particualary in a non-Olympic year. His girlfriend Peta Todd commented to the BBC that "I think that probably means more to him than this actual award".
Mark Cavendish accepting his prize on Thursday night
Certainly, the popularity of cycling has increased hugely with the track success that Britain has enjoyed these last few years. A few of those track stars from previous Olympics and World Championships have now turned to competitive road racing and particularly the Tour de France, such as Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas and Cavendish himself. With them, they have brought an ever larger British audience.
It is widely recognised that the annual Tour is one of the most gruelling, or possibly the most gruelling endurance event of any sport on the calendar. For Cavendish to come through the Tour this year as the first British rider to ever win the green points jersey is simply a phenomenal achievement.
His own public persona seems to be better understood the more the sporting audiences have got to see him both within the sport and outwith it. For those of you who follow him on Twitter, you would quickly realise he is a dedicated friend and family man. Indeed, he was quick to thank his girlfriend Peta Todd and mention the upcoming birth of his baby daughter early next year.
A gentle soul, but fiercely driven and competitive to be the best at what he does and never stuck to thank those around him who help him make it possible.
Cavendish won Thursday nights BBC prize with a whopping 49.5% of the public vote. Second place Darren Clarke got 12.3% and Mo Farah got 8.7% in third. His landslide victory is testament not only to him as an athlete and what he has achieved this year, but to the audience and interest that he has helped to bring to the sport of cycling. A very worthy winner indeed.
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