Mark Cavendish has admitted to disappointment over his BBC Sports Personality of the Year snub.
The British cycling great last month called time on a stellar career, which saw him this year claim a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage win and then triumph in his final race.
Cavendish is set to be honoured on Tuesday night in Salford at the BBC ceremony with the lifetime achievement award, but his competitive nature has left him with a few frustrations.
"I’d be lying if I didn’t say I hoped to be on the shortlist, but it’s the same as 2021 when I also wasn’t nominated," he told The Guardian.
"The lifetime award is very nice but, as a competitor, the main award is being shortlisted. That’s my job – to compete. Although a Spoty award is subjective it’s still a competition.
"A lifetime award is a bit like when I received my knighthood earlier in the year. It’s not something you’re expecting or you work towards. It gets bestowed on you so that’s very nice."
In Cavandish's place, Team GB star Keely Hodgkinson is the overwhelming favourite, ahead of teenage darts sensation Luke Litter.
Also nominated are Jude Bellingham, Joe Root, Dame Sarah Storey and Alex Yee.
It's not the first time Cavendish has had a bone to pick with those who pick the SPOTY nominees.
In 2021, he produced a stunning comeback after suffering from Epstein-Barr virus and a depression diagnosis to win four Tour stages.
"Yeah, the comeback, the four stage wins, winning the green jersey, and I still wasn’t nominated. Sometimes you don’t know what you have to do."
