to think that Mark Cavendish should win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year?

[CinnabarRed]

He's the only person ever to win back-to-back finishes to the Tour de France on the Champs Elysees. And he's done it three times in a row.

He's won 20 races stages of the Tour de France, the 6th most in history, 2 behind Lance Armstrong and only 14 more needed to take the top place (he's only 26).

He's generous in his praise for his team of lead out men. And there's every hope that he's riding clean.

And he's also very nice to look at in cycling shorts....

Darren Clarke deserves it. Might not look terribly sporting but personality is hanging out of the big man.

The only person I can think of who's more deserving that Cav is Chrissie Wellington and she won't win it because her sport gets even less coverage than cycling.

YANBU however I also second nocake's suggestion of Chrissie Wellington amazing Ironman (woman) triathlete.

Can someone explain why someone from IOM seems to speak with a strong scouse accent (Mark Cav), there was an item on today's Newround also featuring a lady in IOM, also sounded scouse to me? Just curious.

Liverpool is the ferry port for the Isle Of Man (accent). (?)

These cyclists are ultimate sportsmen.
Darren Clarke may have personality but he knocks a ball around 18 holes. It's a leisure persuit; not a sport. They wear slacks and fair isle jerseys.
These men have cycled 3500k in 3 weeks; they climb and descend mountains at high speed and more than a number are injured or killed. that's a sport.
They also have personalities. Cavendish shows humility in the face of victory. Every single time. He is part of a team, and a tremendous athelete and sportsman.
Darren Clarke is very nice; but the sportsman worthy of the award is Cavendish.

Can we start a MN campaign for Cav to get sports personality of the year? A bit like one of those vote for my beautiful baby threads we could attach a really nice photo of him

Mark Cavendish went to my school and is known to be a bit of tosser I'm afraid. Doesn't detract from his achivements though.

There are loads of scousers in the IOM - hence the accent

Yes
He's lovely. I want to hug him in a matronely way as becomes a woman of my age .

But then the bad part of me goes all Mrs Robinson when he hasn't shaved; and I could so take him.
And it is shock. I've never fancied a man (apart from DH, like I do him) jesus I'd do him if I had the chance.

Good lord, - This year there are so many good looking cyclist in the TDF - Jonny Hoogerland anyone - fook me he's lovely. I still cringe when I see his crash. That was horrific. I'm still amazed he finished it really.

Upthread, yeh it was live daily and highlights on ITV4.

Ooh, AMA! You've come over all unnecessary!

(Although I kind of know what you mean - I have a soft spot for David Millar too - ssshhhhhh)

I'm sure Cav would love a Mumsnet campaign. I mean, who wouldn't?

Cavendish is from a crown dependancy. Bless.

Yup, Johnny Hoogerland was so sweet when he took the polka dot jersey on the same day as the crash.

I used to quite like Andy Schleck in a geeky kind of way, but his petulant attitude annoyed me this year.

Thomas Voeckler reminds me of Robin Williams.

I'll vote for Cav but agree he does come across as a bit of "an angry young man"?

As I've said I'll vote for Cav but we must also support a vote for Chrissie Welington just amazing.

He used to be an angry young man - he really mellowed out this tour.

And let's not forget his performance in the Giro d'Italia...

I agree he came across alot better this year (Cav) last year he was a bit stroppy this year, not at all - he totally thanked his team every time he won, he was thrilled for his teammate who won the day before the end. I thought he came across really well this year.

I have to admit, I've a bit of a crush on Andy and Frank Schleck - (so slap me) . I was a bit disappointed Andy had that day where he had the strop about the finish being dangerous, but hey there have been some bad accidents this year, they were lucky with no deaths really.

Meh fair enough you all seem pretty passionate about him winning, but as someone who can't stand cycling I was never likely to agree anyway. Still different strokes and all that.
I'd love to see Darren C win it.

I'm with those who have "forced" DC to watch ITV4 in lieu of children's choice. I put my foot down over the 7-8pm show, DS usually gets to watch The Simpons on C4+1 at 7pm....haaahaaa.

Had to LOL at my DD (4) on the last day we all watched it live, she's shouting 'come on Cavvy, COME ON CAV' she knew which one he was and screamed when he won it.

It took us 3 weeks to get her to recognise him, but she does now

[Proud mummy emoticon]

YANBU - I'm bereft and now suffering Tour withdrawal symptoms. Cav has made a great achievement, and I suspect there's more to come as he's only 26 now. Plenty of miles left in those legs.

DC3 is due in September. If Cav wins the World Championships that month, I wonder if I can get away with naming him Cavendish? Suspect DH would prefer Mark!

We are addicted to the TDF in this house and next year's holiday seems to be going to include going and see some of the stages.

Mark Cavendish should definitely win and it is poor how little coverage the TDF gets - I mean they are amazing athletes.

Just to be pedantic the record for 34 stage wins is held by Eddie Merckx, not Hinault. However, I can see no reason why Cav couldn't beat that during his career.

I was very impressed by his girlfriend who was interviewed on Sunday; I think she could well be being a bit of a calming influence on him.

YABU if the Rugby World Cup goes the way I hope.

I too am having withdrawal symptoms - no other bike race hits the spot at all. Cav will be nominated but I'm afraid it's too low profile a sport, and November is too far away. I'll vote though, oh yes.