CHRIS Hoy isn't the sort to own a lot of suits – but getting dressed up for a big occasion is something he might have to get used to.
The three-time Beijing gold medallist is hot favourite to win the BBC's Sports Personality award and the smart money says he'll earn a knighthood in the New Year's Honours list.
Team-mate Bradley Wiggins was busy pressing his case last week but Ho
y is doing his best to stay humble.
"If accolades such as that come your way then obviously you welcome them with open arms. Any kind of recognition is a fantastic honour and who would not want to receive one as important as a knighthood," said Hoy. "But for the time being it's pure speculation and we'll have to wait and see. It's something that I'm not thinking about until the time comes but of course it's something I would relish.
"For Bradley to say that about me is really good of him and he would be just as deserving of the accolade.
"He was the figurehead of the team of the last two Olympics and long may that continue."
Hoy is much happier talking about others than himself and was back in Edinburgh to press the case of Dunedin cycling club coach Ray Harris, his nomination for the BBC's Unsung Hero Award, supported by Robinsons.
Harris was the man who inspired Hoy as a teenager and fanously didn't flinch when the young biker brazenly declared his ambition "to be Olympic champion".
Hoy was also keen to hail the next generation of Scottish cycling talent, including fellow Capital rider Ross Edgar. Edgar settled for silver behind Hoy in the keirin final in Beijing but the four-time Olympic champion is wary of a future reversal of those positions. And with the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games next on the horizon, Hoy believes Edgar has what it takes to lead a new generation of Scottish cyclists.
"Scotland is very fortunate at the moment to have a very talented handful of Scottish cycling stars who are competing at the highest level," he added.
"Ross was awesome in Beijing and I'm fully expecting to him to push on to even better things over the coming years.
"The Commonwealth Games in two years' time will come along quickly and if all goes to plan Scotland will have a fantastic chance.
• NOW in its sixth year, the BBC Sports Unsung Hero Award, supported by Robinsons, recognises and rewards outstanding contributions by individuals at the grassroots level of local sport. Nominations can be made at www.bbc.co.uk/sportsunsunghero until Friday, October 31.
The full article contains 447 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
