British sprint star Mark Cavendish has been named as one of the ten sports people on the shortlist for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year 2010 award.
Cavendish joins diver Tom Daley, heptathlete Jessica Ennis, boxer David Haye, jockey AP McCoy, golfer Graeme McDowell, cricketer Graeme Swann, darts player Phil Taylor, golfer Lee Westwood and skeleton rider Amy Williams on the list drawn up by a panel of 30 sports editors from national and regional newspapers.
A winner will be picked from the ten via a public vote held during the evening of the SPOTY 2010 television show, which will be broadcast live from the LG Arena in Birmingham on BBC One, Sunday December 19, 7-9pm.
Cavendish took 11 victories during the 2010 season, including five stages of the Tour de France and three stages and the green jersey at the Vuelta a Espana. He was Britain's most successful male cyclist of the year.
During his short career, Cavendish has won more professional races than any other British cyclist in the history of the sport. It's easy to forget that the Manxman is only 25 years old, with arguably his best sporting years ahead of him.
Cavendish was on the shortlist last year, but missed out on the award which went to footballer Ryan Giggs.
Two cyclists have won the coveted BBC award in its 56 year history - Sir Chris Hoy in 2008 and Tom Simpson in 1965. Nicole Cooke featured in the shortlist in 2006 and Beryl Burton was runner-up to boxer Henry Cooper in 1967.
Mark Cavendish: 2010 victories
Tour of Catalonia; stage two
Tour de Romandie; stage two
Tour of California; stage one
Tour de France; stage five
Tour de France; stage six
Tour de France; stage 11
Tour de France; stage 18
Tour de France; stage 20
Vuelta a Espana; stage 12
Vuelta a Espana; stage 13
Vuelta a Espana; stage 18
Vuelta a Espana; points classification
Related links
Mark Cavendish: Rider Profile
External link
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2010 site>>
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