ET made cyclist Hoy get on a bike

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Britain's triple Olympic cycling gold medallist Chris Hoy has revealed what first got him pedalling - the film ET.

Hoy, who was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year last weekend, said: "Straight after seeing it as the age of seven I decided I wanted a BMX."

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said he progressed from a BMX to mountain biking and then track racing.

He also said he was stunned to win the BBC award and he did not have the stamina for a big celebration.

Hoy revealed his Extra Terrestrial inspiration while writing for the newspaper's My Week section.

Steven Spielberg's cult film tells the story of Elliott who befriends a stranded alien, dubbed ET.

One of its most famous scenes features Elliott flying on his bike, thanks to ET, with a huge moon as a backdrop.

"It was the film ET which first kindled my interest in bikes... and now here I am training 30 hours a week," he said.

Hoy also said he had not expected to win the Sports Personality award - he beat Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and swimming sensation Rebecca Addlington to the top spot.

"Giving the speech afterwards was daunting," he said.

"Once that ordeal was over, we all had drinks together to celebrate. It was good fun but my stamina wasn't up to a night out after a long day at the Race of Champions in Wembley."