Northern Ireland motorcycle star Jonathan Rea has been overlooked by the BBC for a second successive year after missing out on a nomination for the annual Sports Personality of the Year award.
Rea’s omission from the short list, which was confirmed today, is a major disappointment given he made history by becoming the first rider to win five World Superbikes titles earlier this year.
It was the 32-year-old’s fifth straight title, bettering Carl Fogarty’s tally of four World SBK titles and equalling Joey Dunlop’s five Formula One world titles between 1982 and 1986.
Rea was runner-up to Sir Mo Farah in the 2017 Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, but was also overlooked 12 months ago.
His omission for a second straight year will be a major surprise - and frustration - to his many fans in Northern Ireland and across the motorcycling community.
This year’s BBC SPOTY contenders, in alphabetical order, are:
- Dina Asher-Smith (Athletics)
- Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1)
- Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Athletics)
- Raheem Sterling (Football)
- Ben Stokes (Cricket)
- Alun Wyn Jones (Rugby)
They will compete for the public vote on the night of the live show which will be staged at Aberdeen’s P&J Live Arena on December 15.
Last year Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas lifted the trophy, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Tottenham Hotspur and England striker Harry Kane.
Other awards up for grabs on the night are World Sport Star of the Year, Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.
The judging panel for this year’s Sports Personality of the Year included former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas, Cricket World Cup winner Ebony Rainford-Brent, tennis coach Judy Murray and Olympians Denise Lewis and James Cracknell.
Rea clinched his fifth successive World Superbikes title at Magny-Cours in September and went on to record 17 wins across a memorable season.
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