Mark Cavendish is joint favourite to win Sports Personality of the Year 2021, according to the bookmakers.
The British sprinting superstar made a fairytale comeback at this year’s Tour de France, after he won his first stage in five years and won the green jersey for the second time in his career.
Cavendish, who has now equalled the all-time record for Tour de France stage wins on 34, is one of two frontrunners to win Sports Personality of the Year, at the prestigious ceremony due to be held on December.
The ‘Manx Missile’ is joint favourite alongside British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, both with odds of 5/1 to take home the Sports Personality title this year, according to Oddschecker.
Asher-Smith, 25, is the fastest British woman in recorded history and is the reigning world champion in the 200m sprint. She is also a serious contender to bring home a medal for Team GB in the Tokyo Olympics, which start later this month.
Sports Personality of the Year, established in 1954, is an illustrious annual event that celebrates the sporting achievements of athletes in the UK and abroad.
The reigning sports personality is Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, for his historic season last year and his efforts to promote equality in sport.
Only five cyclists in history have won Sports Personality - Tom Simpson in 1965, Chris Hoy in 2008, Cavendish in 2011, Bradley Wiggins in 2012, and Geraint Thomas in 2018.
Cavendish’s previous award was given following his green jersey win in the Tour de France (along with five stage wins) and his victory in the World Championships that year.
In 2021, Cavendish completed a remarkable comeback at the Tour de France, where he won his first stage since the 2016 the Tour, finishing the race with four wins and the green jersey, after years of struggling with illness, injury and mental health problems.
Other contenders for the 2021 Sports Personality include Alun Wyn Jones in rugby, swimmer Adam Peaty, Olympic cyclist Laura Kenny, and England football star Raheem Sterling.
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Mark Cavendish set to reunite with Quick-Step coach for final pro season in 2024Vasilis Anastopoulos expected to imminently join Astana Qazaqstan along with Michael Mørkøv from Soudal Quick-Step
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Mark Cavendish to postpone retirement and ride on with Astana Qazaqstan, reports
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Opinion: Mark Cavendish Netflix documentary shows why Tour de France return is in doubt
Manxman's route out of depression shows what's really important
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‘A terrible loss’ - Mark Cavendish’s team reacts after sprinter abandons Tour de France
Astana-Qazaqstan riders sad to lose their leader, who crashed out of his final Tour de France on stage eight
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Mark Cavendish crashes and abandons Tour de France on stage eight
Astana-Qazaqstan sprinter shown holding his collarbone after coming down on stage eight, so no stage win record
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'We don't give any presents' - Jasper Philipsen keeps Mark Cavendish waiting for Tour de France record
Belgian continues sprint dominance, and pays tribute to 'best of all time' Cavendish
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Mark Cavendish ‘devastated’ as 35th Tour de France stage win slips through his fingers
Manxman suffers mechanical in Bordeaux as Jasper Philipsen grabs third stage win of the race
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AS IT HAPPENED: Tour de France stage 7: Mark Cavendish gets another record breaking chance
After two thrillers in the Pyrenees its another day for the sprinters as the race heads to Bordeaux
