Cavendish Favourite For Sports Personality

Last updated : 21 November 2011 By Kev Monks

Mark Cavendish is favourite for the BBC's Sports Personality Of The Year.

The Elite Mens Road World Champion, who will ride for Team Sky next season after his HTC team which were one of the most successful cycling teams of recent years but were unable to attract new sponsors, has been installed as the 6/5 favourite.

Only Tom Simpson in 1965 and track star Sir Chris Hoy are the cyclists who have previously won the award and Cavendish, who will become a father next year told the Daily Telegraph: Who'd have thought that cycling would be mainstream a few years ago?

“That a cyclist who hadn't won the Olympics would be in the running for Sports Personality? Even just talking about it just shows how big cycling is now. I’ve had brilliant years but this one especially so I think. I’m quite excited about it [Sports Personality] and am hopeful of making the podium.”

Cavendish, who is expected to ride in the Giro D'Italia, the Tour De France and the Olympics, rode in the Revolution Series in Manchester on Saturday night and you can see how he got on by watching ITV4 at 7pm tonight.