Bradley Wiggins heads BBC SPOTY nominations
Bradley Wiggins remains on course to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year after he was named on the list of nominees this evening.
Sir Chris Hoy and Sarah Storey also appear on the list, but Wiggins remains the overwhelming favourite for the prize following his incredible 2012 season.
Britain's main bookmakers all say the Tour de France winner is the man to beat, with competition likely to come from double Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah and US Open champion Andy Murray.
If he is successful, Wiggins will become only the fourth cyclist to win the award. Tom Simpson was the first to do so in 1965, before Hoy and Mark Cavendish scooped the prize in 2008 and 2011 respectively.
Speaking about the announcement, British Cycling President Brian Cookson said: "It's phenomenal news that three of our cyclists are up for the UK's most prized annual sporting award. To be nominated for Sports Personality - especially after such a spectacular Olympic year for Team GB - is an amazing recognition of what has been achieved across our sport.
"Bradley Wiggins, our first winner of the Tour de France, Sir Chris Hoy, now Britain's most successful Olympian, and Sarah Storey - whose 11 Paralympic golds match Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson's record - all thoroughly deserve their place on the shortlist.
"This comes a year after Mark Cavendish won the award and if a cyclist can do it again, it will further highlight just how mainstream our sport now is."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The prize will be awarded during a live ceremony from London's ExCeL Centre on Sunday, December 16. Votes can only be cast on the night.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2012: The nominees
Nicola Adams
Ben Ainslie
Jessica Ennis
Mo Farah
Katherine Grainger
Sir Chris Hoy
Rory McIlroy
Andy Murray
Ellie Simmonds
Sarah Storey
David Weir
Bradley Wiggins
Related links
Mark Cavendish wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year
Cavendish eager to win Sports Personality says Wiggins
Cavendish's BBC SPOTY odds slashed by bookies
Cavendish and Clarke top bookies' list for BBC SPOTY
Cavendish on BBC Sports Personality shortlist
Garner on BBC Young Sports Personality shortlist
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.
-
The Oura ring reviewed: is this wellness tracker helpful to cyclists?
With its focus on recovery and wellness, the Oura ring offers unique insights but is it worth the investment over other wearables?
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Shimano RC703 road shoe review: sleek, stiff and robust
Shimano's second-tier offering combines a rigid carbon sole with handy Boa dials and protective toe caps
By Sam Gupta Published