REGARDING Mr R Jeeves' remarks (Sports Letters, December 21) about Carl Fogarty whingeing about not being chosen as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, I agree Carl does whinge - but he has every right to.

Ask the 122,000 bike fans at Brands Hatch last August, or the 50,000 Brits who went to Assen in Holland, or those who follow him to the far-flung corners of the world if he is worthy of the Sports Personality award or any other sporting titles.

This man has done more for Blackburn and Lancashire - look at the Red Rose on his helmet - than any sportsman in living memory.

If Alex Ferguson can get a knighthood for his achievements at Old Trafford, surely, Carl should be knighted for his fearless achievements for English sport all over the world.

Furthermore, Mr Jeeves, the Ducati Carl rides is slower than the RC45 Hondas and Suzukis - by two to three mph - small figures, but ones that matter at 180-plus mph - and the Honda he rode for one year was an absolutely appalling bike, but he still won four races on it.

His team-mate, Aaron Slight never won anything on the Honda after three years on the RC45.

RUSSELL DAVIES, Willis Road, Feniscliffe, Blackburn.

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