Vote Cavendish for BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Mark Cavendish is in the running to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year at Sheffield Arena on Sunday (December 13).

Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button is the strong favourite with the bookmakers, but cycling fans could still boost Cavendish's chances of winning by persuading their friends and family of his case for victory.

The 24-year-old from the Isle of Man overtook Barry Hoban's British record of eight Tour de France wins this year. Cavendish notched an incredible six victories to take his career total to 10. His finest victory of the season came in March when he won the Milan-San Remo classic.

That achievement should make him one of the favourites to become the third cyclist to win the title in the long history of the award. Tom Simpson took the prestigious prize in 1965 after winning the world road race championship and last year Chris Hoy won despite being one of four cyclists among the 10 nominees.

However, in order to win the prize, Cavendish needs the support of cycling fans across the country.

Button is hte clear favourite with heptahlete Jessica Ennis and footballer Ryan Giggs also in the running.

When the shortlist was first announced, Cavendish was one of the outsiders but odds on him have shortened considerably since.

Telephone voting will open during the show, which starts on BBC1 at 7pm on Sunday. You know what you have to do.

BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Mark Cavendish (cycling)

Jenson Button (F1)

Tom Daley (diving)

Jessica Ennis (athletics)

Ryan Giggs (football)

David Haye (boxing)

Phillips Idowu (athletics)

Andy Murray (tennis)

Andrew Strauss (cricket)

Beth Tweddle (gymnastics)