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With the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship coming to a close, the subject on everyone’s lips is Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team)’s pure domination of the series, not only this season, but over the past three. Hailing from Great Britain, there are already talks amongst the British motorcycle media of how Rea – now an MBE – should be recognised for his achievements. Adam Wheeler sums up the points this week in The Telegraph, stating why the Ballycare man should be nominated for the popular British award: Sports Personality of the Year.

With a live audience of over 11,000, the award will be going into its 64^th year and remains one of the most watched award shows in the UK. However motorsport continues to get little recognition throughout an evening which celebrates British sporting achievements over the past year, with the late John Surtees the only FIM World Champion to win the trophy back in 1959. Despite motorcycle greats such as Barry Sheene, Carl Fogarty and James Toseland being nominated over the years, Rea hasn’t got so much of a mention over the last two seasons.

The award continues to be surrounded by controversy, as a panel of experts select the shortlist before the ceremony takes place in December, there are often questions raised over which sports are selected or what certain ‘personalities’ are missed out. But one thing is for certain; this year Rea will have the backing of the motorcycling community, who are a faithful and determined bunch.