The bid to get Superbike World Champion and Manx resident Jonathan Rea recognised in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards moved up a gear this week.

A group of bike fans descended upon the BBC at Manchester’s MediaCityUK on Tuesday to hand-deliver a petition calling for the three-time world champion to be named on the shortlist for next month’s awards night.

Clad in leathers, the bikers passed the document, which has received over 10,000 online signatures, to the BBC SPOTY team.

The e-petition was launched by leading motorcycle insurance broker, Carole Nash, after its brand ambassador made history by becoming the first rider to win three successive Superbike World Championships.

Despite his race track achievements, the 30-year-old has never been recognised by the BBC amongst his high-achieving sporting peers.

Jonathan will be awarded a prestigious MBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours next Tuesday.

Humbled by the support of fans, he said: ’I don’t know if I am worthy of an award or not, but for others to be talking about me in this way is hugely flattering. To follow in the footsteps of some of my all-time heroes like Tony McCoy and Barry McGuigan, who have both won the award, would be a dream come true.’