Liggett gonged in Queen’s birthday honours list

Liggett and Brailsford become "Ordinary Members of the Civil Division" of the Member of the British Empire, a "Most Excellent Order."

Brailsford gets his for services to sport; Liggett gets his for services to cycling.

Liggett said: “I am delighted and very honoured by the recognition.”

CTC Director, Kevin Mayne, said: “Phil’s contribution to cycling as a sport and leisure activity, and as a mode of transport, has been spread over 30 years. His continuing role as CTC president is an honour for our organisation and this award is greatly deserved.”

Liggett trained as a journalist and worked for Cycling magazine, holding freelance positions with the Guardian and Observer before being appointed in 1997 as international editor of Cycle Sport magazine. He contributes to the US edition of this magazine and also to Cycling Plus in the UK.

In addition, he has written a number of books including the just released Tour de France for Dummies.

Liggett was technical director of the Tour of Britain Milk Race organisation between 1972 and 1993. He rose to become vice president of the Association Internationale Organisateurs des Course Cycliste.

Throughout his career, he has worked as a volunteer for a wide range of UK cycling organisations. He became the youngest international cycling commissaire in 1973, following which he refereed the tours of Zambia, Egypt and world championships in 1975). He still holds his ‘A’ class Olympic diploma.

He has been president of the CTC since 1997.

In 2001, Liggett put his first name to one of the events in the CTC Challenge Ride series. Since then, the Phil & Friends ride has helped raise thousands of pounds for the Cyclists’ Defence Fund and CTC’s campaigning work. This year’s ride takes place on 14th August, and takes in the Peak District, starting and ending in Sheffield.