Cycling’s best-ever sprinter Mark Cavendish has been knighted and will take aim at a record 35th Tour de France stage win later this year as Sir Mark Cavendish. Cavendish received the knighthood as part of the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours in the UK for his outstanding contribution to cycling, charity work, and role as a sporting ambassador for the Isle of Man and the UK. The Manxman has been an icon of British sport since bursting into the spotlight in the late 2000s, going on to build a legacy as one of sport’s most charismatic and compelling figures.
Cavendish’s longevity has seen his career crossover with Lance Armstrong, Chris Froome and now Tadej Pogačar , maintaining high-level performance throughout the years. It’s a testament to his continued hunger and never-say-die attitude that he’s been able to score wins from Scheldeprijs in 2007 right the way through to this year’s Tour de Hongrie where he ‘officially’ became the most successful sprinter ever after overtaking Mario Cipollini in professional wins. “Sir Mark is a phenomenal athlete, role model and ambassador for both his sport and the Isle of Man," said Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, Alfred Cannan MHK.
"He has performed at the highest level for more than a decade and his ‘never say die’ attitude is truly an inspiration for us all." The characteristics that have seen Cavendish become the modern superstar he is today, have seemingly always been there, with those who mentored him as a yo.
