Impressed by British support, may become third cyclist winner after Simpson and Hoy
Cyclist Mark Cavendish is racing for an end of season win, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. At a meeting in London, he said that the British support ahead of the award ceremony and on the way to his 15 Tour de France stage wins is encouraging.
"The increase in support is amazing. I'm gob-smacked by the incredible amount of [British] people I see on the side of roads during the Tour. To know people appreciate what you do it is a spur for me," he told The Telegraph.
"Things have changed even over the last year. I've been stopped a couple of times walking down Tottenham Court Road this trip, never happened before. I'm really proud of how my sport is growing. There's so many people on bikes here. London's like Amsterdam."
This July 25-year-old Cavendish won five stages of the Tour de France and challenged for the sprinters green jersey. The wins added to his six from last year and four from 2009.
"When journalists at the Tour de France ask me if I am the best sprinter, I say 'yes'. Everyone thinks that's arrogance, but if they don't ask me, I don't go around saying I'm the best sprinter there is."
Cavendish was the best sprinter of the season. Besides five Tour stages, he won a stage each at the Volta a Catalunya, Tour de Romandie and Tour of California. He captured his first sprinters jersey at a Grand Tour at the Vuelta a España in September, as well as winning three stages.
His season started slowly, though, due to teeth problems and a desire to focus on the World Championships on October 3.
"I said in January when I was having problems, that the beginning of my season was ruined. I said all along, I'll concentrate on the Tour and it will come right. Nothing changed. People wrote me off, but I knew the truth," added Cavendish.
"I certainly didn't do it because people told me I couldn't. I know what I can achieve, I don't need external pressure. I get enough of that from myself.
"I just love to win. Simple. It's a passion for me. Crossing that line first, arms up, it's the fulfilment of everything you and your team have been working for. Boil it down, my job is to get our sponsors' logo on that finishing line. I'm lucky that my job absolutely coincides with everything I want to do."
Cavendish just returned from California for the presentation of his HTC team. He said that his early season goal will be winning the Italy's Milano-Sanremo one-day classic for a second time.
A win may come in five days, December 19, when the 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award is presented. If Cavendish wins, he will be the first Manx to win the award and only the third cyclist, behind Scot Chris Hoy (2008) and Englishman Tom Simpson (1965).
Short list:
Mark Cavendish - Cycling
Tom Daley - Diving
Jessica Ennis - Heptathlon
David Haye - Boxing
AP McCoy - Horse Racing
Graeme McDowell - Golf
Graeme Swann - Cricket
Phil Taylor - Darts
Lee Westwood - Golf
Amy Williams - Skeleton Bobsleigh