The cycling star pipped the sprinter Jonnie Peacock following his incredible performance at the World Championships in Montichiari earlier this year.

Cundy, 33, enjoyed his most successful championships since his switch from swimming to cycling, claiming two gold medals and a silver while breaking two world records.

It is the second time he has won the award following his 2008 success at the Beijing Paralympics.

"Gold medals have almost become part of what's expected from me so to pick up another different award is great," he said.

"This is not all about beating people in times and competitions, it's about what you have done for the sport and your personality. It's not just on the track.

"It did come as a bit of a surprise.

"They were frantically trying to get in contact with me to tell me I'd won but they were sending e-mails to an old address.

"They eventually got to me through British Cycling but I was in Majorca for the presentation so they arranged for me to do a live link-up via Skype."


Cundy said he will enjoy a "quiet Christmas" due to his packed training schedule before the World Championships in Los Angeles in February.

Great Britain will announce their squad for the London 2012 Paralympics in June.

"If you're not driven for a home Paralympics then you can't be an athlete," said Cundy.

"London is a once in a lifetime chance.

"I'm going to make sure I'm at the top of my game and I make the absolute most of it.

"This is when people are really going to find out what Paralympic sport is all about and it would be nice to put in a good performance."

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