Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy has been named 2008 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy has been named 2008 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The Scot, who won three gold medals in Beijing, beat Lewis Hamilton and Rebecca Adlington to the honour.

He becomes the first cyclist to win the prestigious award since Tommy Simpson in 1965.

“To win this award this year is so special as British sport has enjoyed such a hugely successful year. It’s been incredible,” said Hoy.

I really didn’t expect this… standing here holding it in my hands, looking at the names on this trophy, it’s quite incredible Chris Hoy

The popular 32-year-old from Edinburgh became the first Briton to win three golds at one Games since 1908.

He triumphed in the team sprint, along with Jamie Staff and Jason Kenny, and won the keirin and the individual sprint at the Laoshan Velodrome.

He also won two titles at the 2008 World Championships in Manchester.

It was a successful night for the British cycling team as they won the team award while David Brailsford won the Coach of the Year crown.

“I really didn’t expect this,” added Hoy, who received a standing ovation after he came to the stage to collect his award from Sir Steve Redgrave and Michael Johnson.

“After the year I’ve had and the whole team has had, to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year, it just means so much. This is the big one and this is just unbelievable.

“Standing here holding it in my hands, looking at the names on this trophy, it’s quite incredible.

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on Hoy’s achievement

“The first person, or the first group of people I have to thank are the public who voted for me because I’m just overwhelmed.”

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond was among the first to congratulate the cyclist on his victory.

“This award is richly deserved and caps an incredible year for Chris Hoy,” he said.

“Chris is assured of a place in sporting folklore and is Scotland’s most successful ever Olympian.

“He is an outstanding competitor and a great ambassador for Scotland on the world stage, displaying true grit and fine sportsmanship in equal measure.”