BBC releases 2009 MotoGP schedule

The BBC has released the schedule of its live and exclusive coverage of the 2009 MotoGP world championship.

Three races will be screened live on BBC 1, including coverage of the British GP at Donington Park on July 26. The other two to feature live on BBC 1 will be the Australian and Malaysian races in October.

Most other races will be beamed on BBC 2, while the opening round on April 12 under Qatar’s floodlights will be aired on BBC 3.

With Suzi Perry still recovering from the recent trauma of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, Matt Roberts will host coverage from the first two races in Qatar and Japan. Perry will be back in front of camera from the Jerez GP in Spain in early May.

As always, Steve Parrish and Charlie Cox will provide commentary.

Live MotoGP qualifying will be available on the Red Button service, as will the 125 and 250 races in the UK only. And the popular MotoGP Extra programme will be on the Red Button for all European rounds.

Any viewers who miss the live MotoGP races will be able to watch these again using the BBC iPlayer service for seven days after each race.

Here’s the full BBC schedule for the 2009 campaign.

12th April 2009         Losail – Qatar          BBC Three, 8.45 – 10.00pm
26th April 2009         Motegi – Japan          BBC Two, 5.45 – 07.00am
3rd May 2009                    Jerez – Spain           BBC Two, 12.30 – 2.00pm
17th May 2009           Le Mans – France                BBC Two, 12.30 – 2.00pm
31st May 2009           Mugello – Italy         BBC Two, 12.30 – 2.00pm
14th June 2009          Catalunya – Spain               BBC Two, 12.30 – 2.00pm
27th June 2009          Assen – Netherlands     BBC Two, 12.45 – 2.00pm
5th July 2009                   Laguna Seca – USA      BBC Two, 9.30 – 11.00pm
19th July 2009          Sachsenring – Germany   BBC Two, 12.30 – 2.00pm
26th July 2009          Donington Park, UK     BBC One, 3.00 – 4.30pm
16th August 2009                Brno – Czech Republic   BBC Two, 12.30 – 2.00pm
30th August 2009                Indianapolis – USA              BBC Three, 7.50 – 9.00pm
6th September 2009      Misano – San Marino     BBC Two, 12.30 – 2.00pm
4th October 2009                Estoril – Portugal              BBC Two, 12.30 – 2.00pm
18th October 2009               Philip Island – Australia       BBC One, 5.45 – 7.00am
25th October 2009               Sepang – Malaysia               BBC One, 6.45 – 8.00am
08th November 2009              Valencia – Spain                BBC Two, 12.30 – 2.00pm