Bradley Wiggins v Andy Murray

[teaboy]

Well I didn't know that but the fact it's ITV4 and not ITV suggests it not a big sport with a big following in this country.

And which tv channel do I tune into to watch football? If it was an important sport then I assume it's on BBC or ITV....

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Wimbledon final, gold and a silver at Olympics and now U.s open. Murray

 

[DavePage]

Life's not fair, share the award.
They both deserve it

 

[Tooting Gull]

I think it essentially comes down to which of the two great achievements you rate highest - becoming the first British rider to win the Tour de France, or becoming the first man to win a tennis Grand Slam for 76 years (since they both also won Olympic gold). Not a lot in it on purely sporting achievement grounds IMHO.

Cards on the table, I stand to win a lot of money if Murray gets SPOTY award, so that's as unbiased as I can be. And that bet, placed at 8-1 during Wimbledon, has seen a ridiculous rollercoaster of odds, down to evens in the Wimbledon final, out to 20s plus during Olympics, back in a bit after his gold, and now back to 2-1 again.

Then again, Farah could get it anyway. I think the thing that highlights best what a phenomenal sporting year it has been is Rory McIlroy though. He's 23, world No1, winning for fun in the USA, a Major champion in 2012, and he has no chance of even being in the top three.

 

[DumLum]

I think it essentially comes down to which of the two great achievements you rate highest - becoming the first British rider to win the Tour de France, or becoming the first man to win a tennis Grand Slam for 76 years (since they both also won Olympic gold). Not a lot in it on purely sporting achievement grounds IMHO.

Cards on the table, I stand to win a lot of money if Murray gets SPOTY award, so that's as unbiased as I can be. And that bet, placed at 8-1 during Wimbledon, has seen a ridiculous rollercoaster of odds, down to evens in the Wimbledon final, out to 20s plus during Olympics, back in a bit after his gold, and now back to 2-1 again.

I have had that bet the previous 5 years, this January I went for Jessica Ennis instead.

Nothing against Wiggins and he definitely has got personality but I would rather Murray won. Watching cycling does nothing for me....too many cheats for one.

 

[Stat Brother]

I think it essentially comes down to which of the two great achievements you rate highest - becoming the first British rider to win the Tour de France, or becoming the first man to win a tennis Grand Slam for 76 years (since they both also won Olympic gold). Not a lot in it on purely sporting achievement grounds IMHO.

That's the nub of the point I was making.
Which is odd considering I am only ''derogatory'' about any sport other than cycling.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Pleased for Murray and what a sporting summer too - Olympics & Paralympics etc but there is no real contest for me - its Bradley Wiggins for SPOTY. OK Murray won the first Grand Slam by a Brit for 76 years but Wiggo is in a different league:

2012:
Paris - Nice 1st British winner since 1967
Tour de Romandie - 1st ever British winner
Criterium de Dauphine - Winner
Tour de France - 1st ever British winner
Olympic time trial - Gold

They weren't flukey wins - most of those he destroyed the competition. Each of those are mega wins in their own right especially for a Brit but winning the TdF is stratospheric. Quite unique in our sporting history.

Plus Wiggo had a pretty handy record before 2012:
Numerous World track championships over recent years, plus:
2008 Olympics - 2 track Golds
2004 Olympics - 1 track Gold

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Tour de France, the Dauphiné, Paris-Nice, Tour de Romandie and an Olympic gold. Wiggins. Just for balance like.

A totally unprecedented feat in cycling as a whole, let alone for a Brit.

Wiggins will have a chance as marginal sports often do better. The general public either don't vote or the spread across people they've heard of is wide. Cycling (like horse racing a few years ago) mobilise their support and vote in big numbers.

Last year Cav got 50% of the votes so more than the rest of the top ten put together.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

As long as one of these two Win it I'll be happy

 

[SK1NT]

That's bollox.

I don't know... i'm quoting what i have heard from some journalists and also what i have heard in interviews myself.

 

[Simster]

Then again, Farah could get it anyway. I think the thing that highlights best what a phenomenal sporting year it has been is Rory McIlroy though. He's 23, world No1, winning for fun in the USA, a Major champion in 2012, and he has no chance of even being in the top three.

Or Greg Rutherford. If he had won his long jump in 1996, he might have won Sports Personality of the Year. As it is, he won it on "Super Saturday" in 2012, where he only finished 3rd in Sports Personality of the HOUR and probably out of the running completely for the rest of the day, never mind year.

 

[Seagull58]

Minority sports shouldn't be allowed in IMO which rules out Tennis, Athletics and push bikes. Or if you do feel the need to honour these people for their practising at least have a separate category.

Should be Mcllroy but won't because of the PC BBC viewers.

Oh and the Scotsman won't win the US Open because he is a bottler, so the initial argument on this thread will be null and void come tomorrow morning. Although it would be very British to reward a perennial loser.

Eat your words and celebrate a GREAT victory. He won't win SPOTY but he kept me up most of the night watching a truly EPIC achievement. Just because he's not Mr. happy clappy smiley doesn't mean he's not a superb, world class sportsman and a personality.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

It's Sports PERSONALITY of the Year.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

OK if you look at their 'personality' on top of their sporting acheivements then Wiggo wins again for me.

Murray hasn't won as many hearts as he might because of his dour mournful Scottish persona, barely capable of intelligble conversation with the media. Hopefully he will lighten up a bit now.

Wiggo has his bad moments but on the whole is more personable, humorous, self deprecating and notably willing to indulge in banter with the media including speaking in French which went a long way to a 'rosbif' earning the empathy of the French media and public. He has managed to win over the public and media in spite of Team Sky taking a very clinical approach to winning that has alienated one or two purists. He doesn't take any crap (notably throwing a great wobbly when the media mischievously questioned how he was able to dominate road cycling this year ie alluding to a possible drugs issue) and is a credit to his sport. Plus he has a positive image around his lifestyle and media image.

Watching the 'Road to Glory' series on Sky at the moment just underlines the sheer effort that Wiggo has put in over the last 2-3 years and especially over the last winter being packed off the Tenerife for intensive altitude training for a couple of months, sacrificing his personal and family life to get ready for the 2012 season. I was very impressed by the endurance that Murray showed in his final last night but still doesn't reach the levels that the top cyclists acheive.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Oh and the Scotsman won't win the US Open because he is a bottler, so the initial argument on this thread will be null and void come tomorrow morning.

Classic.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

It's Sports PERSONALITY of the Year.

Ryan Giggs!

Mark Cavendish won it with nearly half the votes last year for just winning the Tour De France Green Jersey, nearly 170,000 votes. I would imagine a lot more votes this year.

I agree, Brad is probably one of the best sports achievers this year and may hopefully win,( I am a big cycling fan), but for me Ellie Simmonds has the most open personality and quite clearly shows the pressure she is under competing at the highest, so perhaps has the best personality.

 

[teaboy]

Ryan Giggs!

Mark Cavendish won it with nearly half the votes last year for just winning the Tour De France Green Jersey, nearly 170,000 votes. I would imagine a lot more votes this year.

I agree, Brad is probably one of the best sports achievers this year and may hopefully win,( I am a big cycling fan), but for me Ellie Simmonds has the most open personality and quite clearly shows the pressure she is under competing at the highest, so perhaps has the best personality.

Road Race World Championship?

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Road Race World Championship?

I think that was more significant.

 

[Flavor Flav]

The fact that there is 4 grand slams a year and 1 tour de France a year suggests that Wiggins has achieved more.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

The fact that there is 4 grand slams a year and 1 tour de France a year suggests that Wiggins has achieved more.

True. Murray has just won tennis' equivalent of the Tour of Spain.