WHO’S THE BEST BRIT?

RORY McILROY

As golfers such as Spieth, Day, Johnson and Fowler threaten to take golf to a place it has never been before, it is a blessing that we have someone who can claim to be a founder member of the gang. If McIlroy can stay healthy and focused, everything he ever wanted will one day be his.

IAN LADYMAN

ANDY MURRAY

He is neither machine-driven (Hamilton), horse-powered (AP McCoy), in need of an asterisk against his coach’s name (Farah) nor unwilling to represent Britain at the Olympics (McIlroy) — so it’s Murray, the Wimbledon and US Open history maker, Olympic champion and Davis Cup warrior, for me.

JEFF POWELL

JESSICA ENNIS-HILL

To return after having a baby and rule the world once more in heptathlon, probably the most demanding event in athletics, is arguably her greatest achievement and demonstrates what a fine competitor she is.

MARTHA KELNER

RORY McILROY

An average year undoubtedly, but four majors by the age of 26 remains territory occupied by just a handful of golfers in the history of the game, and no European — not even Seve.

DEREK LAWRENSON

LEWIS HAMILTON

Now the most successful British racing driver in history. And if it was all about the car, why is his team-mate Nico Rosberg only third in the championship?

JONATHAN McEVOY

CHRIS FROOME

Hamilton aside, can any other British athlete claim to be THE very best at what they do right now. Had Froome not crashed in 2014 he would now be reflecting on three consecutive Tour de France victories and he will almost certainly win a couple more. And, unlike Hamilton, it’s not about the machine.

MATT LAWTON