Cavendish and Wiggins go underground for BBC Sports Personality

BBC 2009 SPOTY Mark Cavendish underground

Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins were transported to a vast underground cave system to film a special segment for the forthcoming BBC Sports Personality of the Year award 2009.

The duo were involved in filming the piece in the underground Dinorwig hydro-electric power station in Snowdownia, North Wales, last week. The film will be shown as part of the BBC's annual SPOTY awards on December 13. 

Both of the British riders have had stunning years in the saddle, with Cavendish racking up 23 professional wins, including six stages of the Tour de France in July, and Wiggins placing fourth overall in the Tour and winning the Jayco Herald Sun Tour overall.

You can watch a behind-the-scenes look at the feature on the BBC's SPOTY website.

Last year's Sports Personality of the Year was won by Beijing Olympic Games track cycling triple gold medallist Chris Hoy.

Although it's unlikely that either Cavendish or Wiggins will win the overall award in the face of competition from Formula one's Jensen Button, boxing World Champion David Haye and tennis star Andy Murray - among others - their achievements this year have obviously caught the attention of the public and SPOTY producers.

The 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards will be shown on BBC One on December 13 at 7-9pm. Awards presented include Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Overseas Personality, Young Personality, Helen Rollason Award, Unsung Hero Award, Lifetime Achievement and the overall Sports Personality of the Year.

Related links

Mark Cavendish: Rider Profile

Bradley Wiggins: Rider Profile

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.