British Eurosport to retain MotoGP

It had been thought that Eurosport's long relationship with MotoGP would end this season as Dorna pushed to ensure that live race coverage was on free to air television whenever possible.

This saw the BBC awarded exclusive UK broadcast rights for the MotoGP races, but British Eurosport has now completed a deal to show all Friday and Saturday practice sessions, and the 125cc and 250cc races, live plus slightly delayed coverage of all the MotoGP races. These will be broadcast just after the BBC's live race coverage has finished.

Autosport.com's MotoGP correspondent Toby Moody will remain part of the British Eurosport commentary team.

The BBC has also announced full details of its plans for MotoGP coverage in 2009. It will continue to show all 18 MotoGP races live on its television channels, while the qualifying sessions for all three world championship classes, and the 125cc and 250cc races, will be shown via its Red Button digital service.

Its MotoGP Extra analysis programme will also run on the Red Button channels immediately after the live coverage of each MotoGP race.

"We are delighted to be offering more than ever of the world's leading motorcycle series," said Philip Bernie, the BBC's head of TV Sport Editorial.

"Our coverage of MotoGP, the 250s and 125s means that BBC viewers will be able to get the most comprehensive view of this spectacular sport. Combined with our new F1 contract, this means the BBC is now showcasing fully the best motor sport on both two wheels and four wheels."

The BBC and British Eurosport will both make their MotoGP coverage available on their respective iPlayer and Eurosport Player online catch-up systems.