Cavendish, who had another good season with his HTC Colombia Team, was nominated for the awards for the second successive year at a ceremony in Birmingham attended by Coventry's international athlete Marlon Devonish, former City trialist keeper Peter Shilton, City supporter Eddy Jordan and a number of Coventrians in the audience as well as a long standing City supporter working on the programme shown live from the National Exhibition Centre.
The Sports Personality was won by Jockey AP McCoy after a public phone vote. Darter Phil The Power Taylor was second with Heptathlete Jessica Ennis third.
Diver Tom Daley, who like Cavendish was in the ten nominees, was announced as the Young Sports Personality Of The Year, Bedfordshire's Lance Aggett was the Unsung Hero, whilst there was an award for Motor Racing's Sir Frank Williams.
Team Of The Year went to European Ryder Cup golf team with Rafal Nadal getting the Overseas Sports Personality, Colin Montgomerie getting Coach Of The Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award for David Beckham who dedicated his award to the troops serving in Afghanistan.
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM