Five finalists in running for 2016 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year

TWO Olympians, two Paralympic silver medallists and a motocross world champion will fight it out for the title of 2016 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year.

After his fifth place at the Tour de France and third in the Paris-Nice, Rio 2016 road race representative Richie Porte headlines the shortlist for 2016 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year. Picture: ROGER LOVELL

THE five finalists for the 2016 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year have been announced.

Two Olympians, two Paralympic silver medallists and a motocross world champion will fight it out to be named the winner of the award later this month after the Tasmanian Institute of Sport announced its shortlist.

After his fifth place at the Tour de France and third in the Paris-Nice, Rio 2016 road race representative Richie Porte headlines the field.

He will be up against track cyclist Amy Cure, Paralympic sailor Matthew Bugg, para-athlete Deon Kenzie and motocross star Matthew Phillips.

Amy Cure during the heat of the Devonport Wheel Race. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Cure — the reigning champion — won gold medals at the 2016 UCI Track World Cup in the team pursuit and scratch race. Despite being involved in a heavy training crash just days out from competition, she helped the women’s team pursuit to a fifth place in Rio.

She holds the title of 2015 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year.

Bugg won silver medals in the 2.4mR sailing event in Rio and at the ISAF Sailing World Cup.

Hobart sailor Matt Bugg back from Paralympics. Picture: KIM EISZELE

The world record holder for the T38 1500m, Kenzie also won a silver medal at the Paralympics and also blitzed his existing world record in 2016.

Phillips won the first ever Enduro GP world championship.

Matt Phillips during the Australian Four Day Enduro at Wynyard. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

In doing so, he also won the world E2 Class title.

The 2016 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year will be announced at a special cocktail function at the Derwent Entertainment Centre on Wednesday, November 23.

Dean Kenzie preparing to head off to Doha for the IPC World Championships. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Originally published as Five finalists in running for 2016 Tasmanian Athlete of the Year