MARK Cavendish has again been short-listed for Britain’s top sports award with a nomination for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The Isle of Man-born cyclist will be featured in the annual BBC extravaganza on December 19th, alongside sportsmen and women such as Lee Westwood, David Haye, Jessica Ennis and Tom Daley.

Cavendish, 25, finished fourth overall in 2009 and is tipped for a top three place this year. Last year he finished above Tom Daley, David Haye, Andrew Strauss and Andy Murray.

The rider, known in cycling as ‘The Manx Missile’, proved himself one of the greatest ever British cyclists during 2010, despite a slow start to the season recovering from dental surgery. He clocked up five wins in the Tour de France, including a fantastic back-to-back last stage victory on the Champs Elysee in Paris.

He then took three stage wins and won the green points jersey at the Tour of Spain in September, becoming the first British rider in 21 years to earn the green jersey at a Grand Tour.

The other nine on the shortlist for the BBC award are:- Tom Daley (Young Personality winner last year), Jessica Ennis (3rd overall last year), Dave Haye, AP McCoy, Graeme McDowell, Graeme Swann, Phil Taylor, Lee Westwood and Amy Williams. The pre-event favourite is Ryder Cup golfer and current world number one Lee Westwood.

However, Cavendish has increased his profile during 2010 and is expected to do better this year than his 4th position in 2009 when he received 55,960 votes. Last year’s surprise winner – Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs – took 29.4% of the vote with 151,842 votes.

The BBC live show will be hosted by Gary Lineker, Sue Barker and Jake Humphrey.