Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave has added his weight behind the campaign for Bradley Wiggins to win this year’s Sports Personality of the Year award despite recent negative press within cycling. With the rower’s praise in mind, William Hill have cut Wiggins’ odds from 4/7 to 1/2 to win the prestigious award.
The public will have a wealth of choice for the winner with the BBC announcing the shortlist is to be extended from 10 to 12 sportsmen and women.
US Open champion Andy Murray is 7/2 to win, Mo Farah 5/1, Olympic poster girl Jessica Ennis is 12/1, Paralympians David Weir is 33/1 and Ellis Simmonds 66/1. Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter is 66/1 for the award and team mate Rory McIlroy is 100/1.
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Wiggins’ achievements over the course of the year should not be undermined even with the negativity surrounding international cycling at present and with Redgrave’s praise behind him, Wiggins could be a very popular winner in a dark time for his sport,” said William Hill spokesman Mark Young.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2012 Winner: 1/2 Bradley Wiggins, 7/2 Andy Murray, 5/1 Mo Farah, 12/1 Jessica Ennis, 33/1 David Weir, 66/1 Ellie Simmonds, 66/1 Ian Poulter, 100/1 Rory McIlroy, 100/1 Sir Chris Hoy, 150/1 Ben Ainslie, 200/1 Laura Trott, 200.1 Sarah Storey, 200/1 Victoria Pendleton, 250/1 Alistair Brownlee, 250/1 Greg Rutherford, 250/1 Jason Kenny