In the heady summer of 2012, Sir Bradley Wiggins was at the height of his fame. Already a successful cyclist with six Olympic medals under his belt, he became a household name as the first Briton to win the Tour de France. He was chosen to strike the bell to open the London Olympics in front of an audience of millions, was named Sports Personality of the Year that December, and soon after was knighted for his services to cycling. The public called him “Sir Wiggo”; the Sun newspaper issued a stic
The British cyclist Mark Cavendish, winner of 34 Tour de France stages, has been knighted in the king’s Birthday honours
Mark Cavendish will head to the Tour de France later this month seeking to become not only the first rider to win 35 stages of cycling’s most famous race, but the first to win one as a Knight Bachelor. The Manxman said he was “truly humbled and thankful” after being knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours on Friday night.