CARL Fogarty is hoping for a top three finish in tomorrow night's BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.

The World Superbike champion has been quoted as third favourite for the prestigious title behind boxing world champion Lennox Lewis and athlete Colin Jackson, who won the 100m hurdles world title.

Fogarty said: "If I am not second or third I will be disappointed.

"I cannot argue against Lewis, but I don't think anyone else deserves it."

Viewers have been sending in their nominations by fax and e-mail and the top six from that poll will take part in a special telephone vote on the night. "I think I will be in the top six. If I don't then the BBC will have made it obvious that the whole thing is a fix.

"A lot of people have been pushing for me to win but there's no way I'll win it.

"Lewis is more well known and that goes against you, although I have a feeling I would receive more phone votes," he added.

But Fogarty's chances have received a boost by news that the BBC has pipped ITV2 to win the rights to screen next season's championship.

The early rounds will not be screened live, but highlights shown in a 40-minute package. All races will continue to be screened live on the Eurosport satellite channel.

And Fogarty is hopeful that the new deal might swing things in his favour.

He said: "That might possibly have a bearing, but I don't know and I'm not that bothered."

Fogarty has just returned from the Super Motard race at the Bologna Bike Show, riding motocross bikes with smaller wheels.

He was third overall, behind his new Supersport team-mate Ruben Xaus and Max Biaggi, with Fogarty's new Ducati team-mate Ben Bostrum also winning one of the four races.

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