BBC SPOTY: Ratings vs records

As just one of many very British institutions enjoyed in the run up to Christmas, millions of viewers will tune in to BBC this evening to watch the annual Sports Personality of the Year awards for a chance to recognise the achievements of our finest sportsmen and women.

Truth be told, it's been a strong year for Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the sporting arena, with a bevy of home-grown talent going on to achieve international notoriety worthy of our plaudits.

However, though one can accept that there is certainly a challenge to be had in whittling down the list of prospective entrants down to a shortlist of 'only' 12, it remains frustrating that the two-wheeled discipline has once more found itself omitted.

Indeed, while motorcycle racing accepts it will nearly always play second-fiddle to its more glamorously-touted (and terrestrial televised) F1 counterpart, its remarkable that even with five world champions flying the flag in 2015, motorcycle racing remains something of a footnote in the wider sporting press.

Exemplifying this is the almost cruel exclusion of World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea, who couldn't progress from the long-list of candidates despite a performance that would have surely made him odds-on in a so-called 'mainstream sport'. After all, imagine for a moment if Lewis Hamilton won 14 races and 23 podiums (out of a possible 26) on the way to his title? Bets would have been called off by now.

Even more galling for Rea is the fact the ceremony is being held in Belfast, just a few miles away from where he grew up. However, while the man himself hasn't given much in the way of reaction, the omission hasn't gone amiss elsewhere, with thousands petitioning for him to get greater recognition beyond a mention during a montage for 'niche' sports.

Similarly, there is no recognition for Danny Kent, who clinched the Moto3 title this year, making him the first British rider to score a GP world championship crown since Barry Sheene in 1977.

Mentioning Sheene is no accident since Kent's achievement ends a painstakingly long wait for a British GP world champion, back to a time when Sheene was considered a legend in his own right and motorcycle racing was mainstream, popular and glamorous. Granted, Kent's win may have come in Moto3, but this at least makes him one of British sport's most exciting youngsters and one of its few world champions in 2015 under the age of 21.

As a whole, Britannia ruled in motorcycle competition in 2015. Tai Woffinden secured his second world title in three years, the Scunthorpe resident reaffirming his position as one of Speedway's true stars by sealing his title with one round of the championship remaining, while the off-road world also provided two further UK champions, with Jamie McCanney claiming the World Junior Enduro title and Emma Bristow becoming a double Woman's World trials Champion, having already secured the British and European titles in previous years.

In short, while we should have plenty to shout about, things have been somewhat quiet when it comes to celebrating success beyond the mainstream.

In fairness, it should be noted that the 12 nominees have justly earned their spot on this year's SPOTY list for good reason and this at least serves as a testament to the strength of British sport at this moment.

However, by comparing the nominees on merits, most are being celebrated for either a single performance or over a short space of time (ie. a tournament). For the aforementioned five world champions, they have had to maintain their form, keep the errors down and withstand incredible pressure over the course of a whole year.

Importantly, this point isn't to diminish the achievements of those nominated - and it must be said nearly everyone has achieved something special -, but Rea and Kent's efforts especially against a tide of competition, extraneous factors and - for those who have followed their careers - numerous set-backs deserve more than a quick 'well done'.

Indeed, the BBC has often turned to motorcycle racing to highlight it as one of the more extreme, high octane sports to blow you away, but while it touts the skill, less is said of the achievement.

Case point is the Isle of Man TT. Whilst it may not have contributed to a World title, the Isle of Man TT is considered one of the toughest challenges on two wheels, and this year's event proved both exhilarating and humbling in its conclusions. With longstanding legend John McGuiness continuing to break records, recording the fastest outright lap time on his way to equalling the highest number of Senior TT victories - seven previously held by Mike Hailwood - it was returning racer Ian Hutchinson that drew the most headlines, and podium visits! Clinching the overall Solo TT Championship - with three wins and two further podiums - may have been enough to warrant attention, but the results were only half of the story.

A 'horror crash' in 2010, just months after winning a clean sweep of five TT races, saw the Bingley rider almost lose his leg. The five year battle - and 30 operations - to recover from injury resulted in 'Hutchy's' sensational comeback being described by the BBC as "one of sport's most courageous stories of triumph in the face of adversity" yet still no inclusion in this week's roll-call.

The dedication, determination, athleticism and skill required by modern day motorcycle racers parallels that of any other world class sport, but with the constant underlying edge of danger. These men and women risk everything to be the best they can be and the fans around the world respect and admire them for it. It's a shame the country's 'so-called' impartial broadcaster doesn't agree, choosing to focus on the money-makers and represent only the disciplines publicised by its own network rather than recognise true sporting achievements .

While the BBC will often find itself in a no-win situation when it comes to creating a shortlist, and has certainly had its hands full justifying the controversial inclusion of Tyson Fury, on a night that will celebrate the great and good of our hugely talented pool of sports stars, it's a shame that a sport we have stamped our mark on is unlikely to get more than a mere moment in a montage.