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news
Mark Cavendish celebrates on the Vuelta podium after winning Stage 13 (copyright Unipublic:Graham Watson)Council chief accuses Mark Cavendish of taking liberties over Freedom of Douglas award
Only the hardiest of souls would brave swimming in the chilly seas that surround the Isle of Man right now, but the island’s favourite sporting son, Mark Cavendish, seems to have landed himself in plenty of hot water back home after failing to arrange a date to be presented with an award more than two years after it was bestowed on him.
The HTC-Columbia sprinter, preparing to join battle in the Tour Down Under with erstwhile teammate Andre Greipel and Garmin-Cervélo’s Tyler Farrar, among others, was given the Freedom of the Borough of Douglas, the island’s capital, in August 2008, the month after he won his first four Tour de France stages.
However, Douglas Council has found it impossible to schedule a date with the cyclist for him to receive the honour.
Last month, the council’s leader, David Christian, quoted on BBC News, said that although Cavendish had been contacted regarding the wording to be shown on the illuminated manuscript which confirmed the honour, no reply had been received.
He added that he and his colleagues were “disappointed to be treated in such a way,” adding that the cyclist was “joining the likes of Winston Churchill, the Bee Gees and Norman Wisdom, all of which have gladly accepted their award."
A month on, Mr Christian has confirmed that Cavendish has still not being in touch, reports the website IOM Today.
“We have still had no feedback from Mark Cavendish but we have had a call from someone who was apparently speaking on his behalf,” confirmed the council leader. “He was quite upset and disgruntled by some of the comments made. But it is just pure simple fact that he has not been in touch.
“We are hoping he does recognise the honour . I’m sure he does. We just wish he would come in."
Mr Christian added that the council had attempted to contact Cavendish by phone and email through his agents but said it did not know whether messages were being passed on to him.
The website reported that according to friends of the cyclist, his schedule has simply been too busy for him to be able to set a date with the council.
However, Mr Christian claims: “He has been on the island a few times and it is felt he could have found just half an hour to come in.
“I still voted for him in the Sports Personality of the Year competition but one or two members of the council are a bit hot under the collar about it.
“The door is well and truly open. He only has to pick up the phone and give me a call,” he added.
Cavendish apparently did pay a visit to the council to give his input to the early design of the honour, currently on display at Douglas town hall, which Mr Christian said made it “puzzling” that he had not set a date to collect it.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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14 comments
Currently the " Island Nation " are congratulating themselves on the "publicity " that he is providing for them !
Not sure if he has even collected his " MBE " as yet , that also requires scheduling so that ALL are able to enjoy the occasion !
Behave, this is hyped up beyond resonable. Think of all the requests Mark Cavendish must get to make an appearance? If he wants to have any time for himself then he has to say no to some things. This must be one of them. I remember I wanted Mr T to come to my 8th birthday party, he didn't - he had more important things to do - I didn't go on TV to complain about it.
Well, cheerbigears, you should have gone to the media, complained about how arrogant mr T was and then rescind your offer etc etc. scumbag
I don't doubt he does turn stuff down. but if he's as proud of being a manxman as he says he is, this shouldn't be one of the gigs he turns down, should it? All he has to do is show his face next time he's back in the hood, i can't imagine it'd be difficult to arrange.
I think he has been a bit cheeky tbh. He could have arranged something. I take it he has a sports agent or manager who could have arranged something...?
He keeps doing daft things though. Causing crashes, hand gestures towards critics, etc. I've just gone off him.
"Freedom of the Borough of Douglas"? I would rather be spraying champagne over a podium girl...
What's that saying about walking 100 miles in someones shoes? If any of the above had the faintest idea what it takes to do what he has done they would not be so quick to judge him.
You'll be a hundred miles away, and have his shoes. BOOM! Old but a classic.
Comments seem a bit harsh, tbh. I saw the coverage of his trip to India with his IoM team-mates, and the various interviews he's given where he was questioned about it, and he seems (a) proud of his heritage and to ride for IoM, and (b) proud to work with and for his IoM team-mates who supported him, despite odds stacked against getting a result. An arrogant twat doesn't carry wheels and water bottles for team mates in a race he isn't participating in, or drive the team car to help them out. He's a bit cocky, but then he got where he is in part due to self-belief - a little cockiness at his age is thus almost inevitable. But I do think he has matured a lot in the last year or so, and that he's a genuine character who believes in himself and has integrity - something that the sport needs.
Makes me sound like a Cav fanboy - I'm not, but I do think he gets far more bad press than he deserves.
He seems a right arrogant twat doesn't he
Yes to be fair he hasn't got a lot of brain cells to spare for memory has he?
Probably forgot.
Totally confirms my opinion of him. Maybe if the IoM Council could arrange to fly to California to present it to him, he'd perhaps find it in his big heat to meet with them.
Personally I'd tell him to get stuffed and rescind it, he obviously has no respect for the honour or his birth place. Perhaps if it came with £1M or a Ferrari he could stoop to accept the award. This just vindicates my decision to not vote for him in the SPOTY awards. As much as I love cycling and would like to see a cyclist win it (sorry another cyclist) I certainly don't think it should be Cavndish, the Wayne Rooney of cycling. Emma Pooley is much more deserving IMHO.
+1 - I totally agree!!!!