Cavendish is in frame for BBC award
Cavendish became the first British winner of the green jersey in the Tour de France after five stage victories, and was also crowned road race world champion in Denmark.
Clarke, now 43, won his first major title at the age of 42 with a brilliant performance in The Open Championship at Sandwich, the Ulsterman following in the footsteps of compatriot Rory McIlroy who had secured a record-breaking eight-shot triumph in the US Open the previous month.
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Hide AdAlso on the ten-strong shortlist are world No 1 golfer Luke Donald, world champions Mo Farah (5,000 metres) and Dai Greene (400m hurdles) and England cricketers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook. Boxer Amir Khan and tennis star Andy Murray complete the nominees. The winner will be announced in a live event at MediaCityUK, Salford on 22 December.