BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award 2013 Nominees Prediction: Ainslie, Murray and Rose Lead SPOTY Shortlist

After the sporting extravaganza of 2012, the year of 2013 threatened to be a case of 'after the lord mayor's show'. Instead, we've been treated to a thrilling year of SPORT 1 sporting competition with once again another series of crowning moments.

History was made at Wimbledon, as Andy Murray broke Britain's hoodoo in the men's singles, in Australia as the British and Irish Lions won a summer series for the first time in 17 years, and in Moscow, as Mo Farah became just the second athlete to win the world and Olympic long-distance double.

The celebration of 2013 often starts and ends with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, in its 60^{th year, with the ceremony now integral to looking back on the grand sporting year.}

The 10 nominees for the main award are to be unveiled tonight at 7pm ahead of the ceremony on 15 December. But who has stood out in 2013? Look no further.....

Sir Ben Ainslie - 33/1

Sporting comebacks took on a different meaning after the America's Cup saw Oracle Team USA overhaul an 8-1 race deficit, to defeat Team New Zealand in Auckland. After Oracle were docked two points for cheating, Ainslie was brought in after defeats in four of the opening five races and orchestrated a minor-miracle, helping to stage eight successive wins and complete the finest victory in the competitions' 162-year history.

Ian Bell - 100/1

As England go in pursuit of a fourth successive Ashes series win in Australia, they began their assault down-under in the knowledge that victory in the summer was owed to Bell's brilliance with the bat. Hundreds in the first and second Test wins at Trent Bridge and Lord's hauled England into a winning position while Bell's third in Durham proved pivotal in setting an overwhelming score for the tourists. As England's top order fell apart, Bell was Mr. Reliable himself.

Mo Farah - 16/1

After dominating in 2012, with two Olympic golds, Farah used 2013 to merely enhance his status as Britain's greatest ever long-distance runner. After claiming the British 1500m record in July, Farah claimed 5,000m and 10,000m gold at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow is similarly dominant fashion to his victories in London 12 months previous. He becomes just the second man to win both the Olympic and world championship long-distance titles.

Chris Froome - 25/1

British wins at the Tour de France did the proverbial bus routine in 2013, following Sir Bradley Wiggins' win a year ago, as Chris Froome led Team Sky to a second successive yellow jersey. After Wiggins' withdrawal, Froome was naturally installed as the primary rider and did perfect justice to the tag, winning the general classification by four minutes and 20 seconds having won three stages across the three weeks.

Leigh Halfpenny - 100/1

The Welsh full-back lay siege to international rugby in 2013. Halfpenny finished as the leading scorer in the Six Nations championship, which Wales smuggled away from England following a thrilling win in Cardiff, courtesy of the 24 year old's four penalties in a 30-3 win. In the summer, it was Australia's turn to feel Halfpenny's wrath as he top scored with 114 points, including three tries and his nerveless form with the boot underlined the British and Irish Lions' first series win for 17 years.

Becky James - N/A

Such is the hangover from Olympic-year, the start of the four-year cycle to Rio 2016 is regarded as the most difficult periods for an athlete, but for Britain's Becky James the World Championships in Minsk proved to be the ideal tonic for the start of her dynasty. Billed as the new Victoria Pendleton, James won two gold medals in the individual sprint and the keirin with frightening performances six months on from being a reserve at London 2012. The 21 year old plays second fiddle to no-one now.

Andy Murray - 1/28

If 2012 was the breakthrough year for Andy Murray, with a Wimbledon final, an Olympic gold and a maiden grand slam, then 2013 was the confirmation of his talent. Murray became the first Brit to win the male singles title at SW19 for 77 years after defeating Novak Djokovic in three nerve-jangling sets. Stardom, not to mention a contribution as Great Britain returned to Davis Cup World Group, has followed. Who knows what else?

Christine Ohuruogu - 125/1

While Farah was dominating men's long-distance running. Ohuruogu was staging her own moment in the Russia sunshine. Six years on from her last world title and five years on from winning Olympic gold, Ohuruogu stormed to the 400m title in a star-studded field to pip world-leader Amantle Montsho to gold. The sixth major title of her glittering career, and perhaps her greatest.

Ronnie O'Sullivan - 150/1

Perceived by some as a soap opera not worth following, O'Sullivan produced unadulterated theatre in returning to snooker to retain his world title at the Crucible. After distancing himself from the game after victory in 2012, O'Sullivan made a late decision to return to the sport at the world championships and quickly dusted off the cobwebs. Wins over the likes of Ali Carter and Judd Trump followed before Barry Hawkins was defeated in the final 18-12. Questions still remain over his future, but never his talent.

Justin Rose - 80/1

One of the great sporting narratives of 2013 unfolded at Merion as Justin Rose marked father's day and 11 years on from the passing of his dad with his maiden major title at the US Open. Rose held off Phil Mickelson and Jason Day on the final day to become the first Englishman since Nick Faldo in 1996 to win a major title. Few sportsman this year will match the emotion of the occasion in Pennsylvania.

Honourable mentions: Carl Froch, Tony McCoy, Phil Taylor, Wayne Rooney