The 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award shortlist was revealed yesterday evening and among the names is British road cyclist Mark Cavendish.

In 2009 55,960 votes secured Cavendish fourth spot behind Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs, last year’s Formula One world champion Jenson Button and world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis respectively.

But can Cavendish go a step further and claim the award? It has been another successful year for the 25-year-old cyclist, with wins in five stages of the Tour de France to take his overall tally to 15, so his chances are high.

But there’ll be stiff competition from the other nominees, including Jessica Ennis, who added the European title to her world crown, double Commonwealth Games gold medallist Tom Daley, heavyweight boxer David Haye, jump jockey AP McCoy and Ryder Cup victors Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood also make the list, put together by a panel of 30 sports editors from newspapers and magazines.

England cricketer Graeme Swann, 13-time world darts champion Phil Taylor and Winter Olympic bob skeleton gold medallist Amy Williams also make the cut. The 10 sportsmen and women will now compete for the public vote during the live show on Sunday December 19 from 7-9pm.  

The public will be able to vote for their BBC Sports Personality of the Year by telephone; details of the numbers to vote on will be given out during the programme.