HTC-Columbia star sprinter Mark Cavendish has been nominated for the 2010 Laureus 'World Breakthrough of the Year' award. Among the 24-year-old's 24 victories in 2009 were six stages of the Tour de France, four stages in the Giro d'Italia and a surprising win in the opening Spring Classic Milan-Sanremo.
Laureus World Sports Awards is the premier global sports awards honoring the greatest sportsmen and women across all sports each year. This prestigious award is presented to the sportsperson whose performance as a newcomer suggests the greatest potential for an outstanding career.
Already awarded 2009 Rider of the Year in the UK, Italy and Belgium, Cavendish will be among those considered by a jury of 46 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, regarded as the living legends of sport honoring the great athletes of today.
The 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards will be held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, March 10. The 2010 Awards Ceremony will be broadcast to a worldwide TV audience and staged at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.