CHIEF Minister Tony Brown MHK is urging the Manx public to vote for Mark Cavendish in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year contest.
The 25-year-old cyclist from Laxey is on a shortlist of 10 for the prestigious award which will be decided by a telephone vote during Sunday night's (December 19) live show which will be shown on BBC One.
He faces competition from leading British sports stars such as heavyweight boxer David Haye, US Open golf champion Graeme McDowell and European heptathlon gold medallist Jessica Ennis.
Cavendish, the most successful British cyclist of all time, enjoyed another memorable year in 2010. He followed up his five stage wins at the Tour de France by clinching the coveted points jersey in the Tour of Spain.
Last year the "Manx Missile" became the Isle of Man's first home-grown sportsman to be nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award and he finished fourth in the public vote.
Mr Brown said: 'Mark has once again done the Island proud with his magnificent achievements over the past 12 months, and I hope as many people as possible will vote for him on Sunday.
"He has shown the heights that can be scaled with talent, determination and team support and I'm sure he will be an inspiration for future generations of Island sportsmen and women."
The 10 nominees for the main award will be put to a public vote during the show which will be broadcast from Birmingham's LG Arena at 7pm.
The telephone number to call to register a vote for Cavendish will be revealed on the night and repeated throughout the programme by presenters Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Jake Humphrey.
