MARK Cavendish has made it on the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The cyclist from the Isle of Man has been recognised for his achievements after becoming world road race champion in September.

He also became Britain's first winner of the Tour de France green jersey this year which means he has now won 20 stages of the Tour de France.

If Cavendish wins he will be the third cyclist to pick up the award and will follow in the footsteps of Chris Hoy and Tom Simpson.

Cavendish is joined on the shortlist by golfers Darren Clarke, Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy, cricketers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss, boxer Amir Khan, tennis player Andy Murray and athletes Mo Farrah and Dai Greene.

The shortlist was compiled by newspapers and magazines from across the UK who submitted the names of the 10 sports people they felt should be recognised. These results were then collated and the final shortlist was drawn up.

Out of the 27 publications who were asked to submit their views Cavendish was picked by 23 including The Independent, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Guardian, Irish News and Nuts magazine.

British Cycling is conducting a social media campaign to try and help Cavendish win the award. It is asking all of Mark Cavendish's fans to use the "hash tag" #CAV4SPOTY when talking about the cyclist on Twitter.

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year award is voted for by members of the public. Voting will open during a live television show on December 22 which will start at 8pm.

Mark Cavendish revealed last night that he is having a baby girl. The cycling star tweeted: "Just been to another baby scan with @pettatodd. So exciting! Now to get on with painting the room in…PINK! #littlegirl #princess”.

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