Bradley Wiggins has revealed that Mark Cavendish is eager to become the second cyclist in four years to win the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award in Manchester on Thursday evening.
With the battle for the trophy increasingly looking like a straight fight between Cavendish and golfer Darren Clarke, Cycling Weekly is calling on its readers to ensure the Manxman scoops the prize.
The world champion joined Team Sky for their first winter training camp in Majorca last week, and Wiggins said that it's clear that taking the much-coveted prize is on the Manxman's agenda.
"He's [been] talking about Sports Personality of the Year and [how] if he doesn't win this year he'll be pissed off.
"He's constantly looking at the odds to see whether he's the favourite or not or if some golfer's just won something somewhere."
Considering his familiarity with winning, it's hardly surprising that Wiggins added: "He just wishes there was another race to put himself back up there."
Cavendish and Wiggins, Vuelta a Espana 2011
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Wiggins also admitted he enjoyed having his countryman around during their time on the Balearic Island.
"It just feels like we're away with the British team really. He's hilarious to take the piss out of; it's brilliant because he gives you loads of soundbites.
"He's the same person I see on the telly when he's doing his cooking and shit like that," Wiggins added.
"I still can't get my head round watching him walk around the hotel in the world champions' jersey."
How to vote
The final decision on the winner of SPOTY will be decided by a public vote during the live awards show, which takes place on BBC One from 8pm tomorrow (December 22).
You can only support Cavendish by phone - there is no voting online or via the ‘red button' facility.
The number to call will be revealed at the start of the live show and lines will open shortly after.
In previous years, you have only been able to vote from once from a landline phone -although in 2008, to considerable expense, CW's editor discovered he could make multiple calls from his mobile!
Calls made after the closing time (scheduled to be around 9.30pm) will not be counted, but may still be charged.
On Twitter? Use the #cav4spoty hashtag!
Related links
Cavendish's BBC SPOTY odds slashed
Cavendish and Clarke top bookies' list for BBC Spoty
Cavendish on BBC Sports Personality shortlist
Garner on BBC Young Sports Personality shortlist
Mark Cavendish: Rider Profile
2010 SPOTY: Comment - Cavendish, a sportsperson with a personality
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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.
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