Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK has urged the Manx public to get behind Mark Cavendish in the contest to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2009.
The 24-year-old Laxey cyclist is on a shortlist of 10 for the prestigious award which will be decided by a telephone vote during Sunday night’s live show.
He faces competition from leading British sports stars such as Formula One motor racing champion Jenson Button, Ashes-winning cricket captain Andrew Strauss and heavyweight boxing champion David Haye.
Cavendish, the most successful British rider of all time, enjoyed tremendous success during 2009, including six stage wins at the Tour de France.
The Chief Minister said, "Mark’s performances this year have been nothing short of phenomenal and the whole of the Isle of Man is very proud of his achievements.
"He is the Island’s first home-grown sports star to be nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award and I hope as many people as possible will vote for him on Sunday.
"Mark 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 BBC1 show, which will be broadcast from the Sheffield 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.
