Journalists overlook Hamilton for award

Nov.27 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton, Britain's first world champion in 12 years and the youngest in history, has been beaten to a respected British sports plaudit.

The 23-year-old McLaren driver is expected to shortly be named the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year as the result of a popular vote.

But it was Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy who this week secured the Sportsman of the Year award voted by the 600-plus members of the Sports Journalists' Association of Great Britain.

The British Olympic cycling team, meanwhile, secured the teams' prize, it was announced at an awards lunch hosted by association president Michael Parkinson in London.

Hamilton will have another opportunity to even the score with Hoy when he takes on the 32-year-old in a 'race' at the Race of Champions at Wembley stadium next month.

It will hardly be a fair fight, however, as while Hamilton will be driving a Mercedes-Benz road car, Hoy will take to the saddle of his bike, on which he generates less than three horse power.

After the demonstration, the pair will immediately depart for Liverpool for the BBC awards.