Mark Cavendish and Carolynn Sells were awarded the top awards

Mark Cavendish and Carolynn Sells have been crowned the IOM's sportsman and sportswoman of the year.

Cavendish enjoyed huge success in 2009 winning six stages of the Tour de France and the Milan-San Remo title at his first attempt.

Sells became the first female rider in history to win a race on the Mountain Course in the Manx Grand Prix.

There were eleven awards given out in total at the ceremony in Douglas.

Cavendish told BBC Isle of Man: "I enjoy winning things and to be recognised in this way means a lot to me.

Last year was a great year for me and I want to win a lot more in 2010."

Sells won the ultra-lightweight class at the Manx Grand Prix by over a minute in 2009.

She said: "I am shocked and delighted to win this award.

I do what I love, it's what I grew up doing and to be honoured in this way is incredible."

Meanwhile, racer Conor Cummins was handed the Isle of Man ambassador award for his achievements in motorcycling and race walker Janice Quirk was given a special achievement award.

Swimmers Grant Halsall and Olivia Rawlinson were named the Under-21 sportsman and sportswoman of the year.

Vagabonds Ladies were named the team of the year, Snowshoe racer Paul Clucas won the disability award and Peter Mumford was named coach of the year for his work with the Manx archery team.

Peter Kinnish won the Club Official award for his work at Laxey Football Club and the Lifetime Achievement Award went to Ron Ronan for his involvement in athletics, football and tennis.

Isle of Man Sports Awards Winners for 2009

Mark Cavendish - Cycling

Carolynn Sells - Motorcycling

Conor Cummins - Motorcycling

Grant Halsall - Swimming

Olivia Rawlinson - Swimming

Vagabonds Ladies - Rugby

Peter Kinnish - Football

Peter Mumford - Archery

Paul Clucas - Snowshoe

Ron Ronan

Janice Quirk - Race Walking

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