Cavendish knighted in King's Birthday Honours

And there's honours for Captain Carter and Milky Quayle too!

Three people from the Isle of Man have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Cyclist Mark Cavendish has been made a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

It’s for his outstanding contribution to the sport, his charity work and efforts as a sporting ambassador for the UK and the Isle of Man.

The accolade comes just weeks after the 39-year-old achieved his 164^th career victory making him the most successful men’s sprint cyclist of all time.

The KBE means he’ll be known as ‘Sir Mark Cavendish’.

'Role Model'

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said: “Sir Mark is a phenomenal athlete, role model and ambassador for both his sport and the Isle of Man.

“He has performed at the highest level for more than a decade and his achievements are truly an inspiration for us all.

“As a nation the Isle of Man prides itself on its cycling prowess and works hard to create an environment that nurtures talent allowing our young people to flourish.

“It is extremely satisfying to see Sir Mark come through our junior cycling ranks and succeed at the very highest level.”

'Proud'

Sir Mark is the first person from the Isle of Man to be knighted since Sir Norman Wisdom 24 years ago.

In 2011 he was awarded an MBE for his services to British Cycling and has been named 'Isle of Man Sportsman of the Year' 12 times since 2003.  

Dot Tilbury was his first-ever coach while leading cycling races for children at the National Sports Centre.

She said: “When I was coaching Mark as a boy I had no doubt that he would go on to achieve amazing things.

“Everyone in the Isle of Man, from young children to grannies, is so very proud of what he’s achieved.

“He has inspired many children to think that you don’t have to come from a big city to go after what you want in life.”

Dot spoke to Manx Radio's Sport Editor Rob Pritchard following the announcement:

Mark Cavendish

Fellow Manx residents Captain Stephen Carter and Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle have also been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

'MBE'

Captain Carter has received an MBE for ‘outstanding services to maritime safety and his community’.

He was appointed Marine Pilot for the Isle of Man in 1994 and oversaw 4,500 vessel movements in 29 years of service before retiring last year.

For most of that time Captain Carter was the sole Isle of Man pilot - always on call whenever a visiting ship was due thereby helping maintain a vital lifeline to the Island.

He has also been involved in searches for missing vessels and people – notably assisting and advising in raising the wreck of the Solway Harvester which sank in 2000.

In addition to his maritime services Captain Carter was a board member of Lonan Parish Commissioners for more than 10 years and a trustee of Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust.

He currently serves as the Captain of the Parish of Lonan and a supporter of the Lonan and Laxey Anti-Cancer Association.

Stephen Carter

'BEM'

Former TT winner ‘Milky’ has received the British Empire Medal for his ‘outstanding contribution to the Isle of Man road races’.

He’s the third Manx rider to win a solo Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race in the history of the event after triumphing in the Lightweight Race in 2002.

That year he also won the Manx Grand Prix Classic Senior Race and was also voted 'Isle of Man Sportsman of the Year'.  

Since then he’s inspired a generation of Manx road racers including Conor Cummins and Nathan Harrison.

In 2006 he was appointed 'TT Riders Liaison Officer' and has coached and mentored hundreds of newcomers in navigating the Mountain Course safely.

His recorded lap of the TT Course has had more than one million views on YouTube alone.

Richard 'Milky' Quayle

And Ron Berry has been recognised by the Lieutenant Governor for his services to charitable causes on the Isle of Man.