Elinor Barker didn't expect Sportswoman of the Year nomination despite glittering season

Elinor Barker did not think she would be in the frame for the Sportswoman of the Year award after adding to her collection of medals this year.

The 23-year-old has won six major medals this year, including gold medals at both the World Championships and European Championships, teaming up with Ellie Dickinson in the Madison in Berlin.

The Welsh rider, who received an MBE for her services to cycling, is a team pursuit Rio Olympics champion and world record holder.

Barker said: "I never think I want to win this race so I can get nominated for this award so when things like this do happen it's a really, really nice surprise to get.

"When you're in a sport you don't really see its effect on other people and you don't know how big it is because it's my life.

"I don't know if other people are interested, and how people see cycling so it's nice to see it becoming mainstream and being involved in these kinds of events.

"I'm not expecting to win at all, I'm usually quite a competitive person but with things like this I'm quite happy to just go along, have a nice night and see all the other nominees."

The shortlist for the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year award: Elinor Barker (track cycling), Tammy Beaumont (cricket), Elise Christie (short-track speed skating), Johanna Konta (tennis), Jodie Taylor (football) and Bianca Walkden (taekwondo).

Previous winners of the main award include Laura Kenny, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Charlotte Dujardin, Sally Gunnell, Kelly Holmes, Denise Lewis.

You can watch coverage of the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards in association with Vitality live from 8pm on Thursday on Sky Sports Mix, Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Main Event.