Cavendish wins coveted Bidlake award

Mark Cavendish has been awarded the 2011 FT Bidlake Memorial Plaque for his outstanding contribution to cycling during 2011.

The annual award was handed to the Manxman after an outstanding season that saw him become the first Briton to win the Tour de France green jersey after winning five stages of the race, and become only the second male British rider to win the road race world championships.

Previous recipients of the FT Bidlake Trophy include Tom Simpson, Reg Harris, Beryl Burton, Alex Moulton, Hugh Porter, Graham Obree, Sean Yates, Nicole Cooke, Chris Boardman and Dave Brailsford.

"In a year when he won five stages of the Tour de France, was the first Briton to win the green jersey, won the UCI road world championships and was appointed an MBE, Mark Cavendish was the clear winner for the 2011 award," said Graham Thompson, secretary and treasurer of the FT Bidlake Memorial Trust that administers the annual accolade.

The trophy is named after Frederick Thomas Bidlake, a noted road, time trial and track cyclist. He was hit by a car on 27 August 1933 and died of his injuries on 17 September 1933, aged 66. At the time of his death he was president of the North Road CC, vice-president of the Cyclists' Touring Club and president of the Road Records Association.

A fund was set up in his memory to honour those who have provided 'most outstanding performance or contribution to cycling in the UK'. It was first awarded in 1934.

Cavendish is one of 10 sportspeople on the shortlist for the 2011 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. The winner will be decided by public vote during a live broadcast of the award ceremony on December 22 on BBC One.

Related links

Wiggins and Cavendish stay apart until 2012 Tour de France

Mark Cavendish: Rider Profile

2009: Brailsford wins Bidlake award

External link

Bidlake Memorial website