Froome is perhaps the most notable absentee from a list which always draws plenty of comment and criticism, although Mark Cavendish, who won four stages of the Tour de France, a world track title and silver medals at both the Olympics and the world road race championships, might also feel aggrieved.

Olympic years are always hotly disputed, with gold-medal winning athletes traditionally dominating the list.

That is certainly the case this year following the most successful Games in Team GB history, with a record 67 medals, 27 of them gold. Of the 16 names on this year’s shortlist, 13 of them tasted success at either the Olympics or the Paralympics, with footballers Gareth Bale and Jamie Vardy, and golfer Danny Willett the only exceptions.