Cavendish lifetime achievement award 'the icing on the cake'

Former coach says it's fitting way to round off stellar career

Winning the Lifetime Achievement Award in this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year is the 'icing on the cake' for the glittering career of Sir Mark Cavendish, according to his former coach.

After a historic season in which he became the all-time Tour de France stage winner in July with 35 victories, the 'Manx Missile' will receive his accolade at the awards ceremony tonight (17 December).

The 39-year-old also received a knighthood this year in the King's Birthday Honours list for services to cycling and charitable work both on and off the Island.

Dot Tilbury believes the honour doesn't just recognise Sir Mark's individual racing achievements but is a testament to the 'grit' and 'determination' of his character:

Cavendish retired from the sport last month after he competed in his final ever race - the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium - which he also went on to win.

The announcement of him being made a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) in June came just a few weeks after his 164th career victory, which made him the most successful sprint cyclist of all-time.

He also became the first Island resident to receive a knighthood since Sir Norman Wisdom 24 years ago.

What's more the Manxman won BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2011 in the same year he won the World Road Race Championship in Copenhagen.

His extensive list of honours also include 17 Giro D'Italia victories as well as becoming a three-time Madison world champion in 2005, 2008 and 2016 and securing Olympic silver in the Omnium at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.

Tonight's coverage of BBC Sports Personality of the Year will get underway from 7pm on BBC One.