British Eurosport keeps MotoGP for 2009

As was exclusively revealed by MCN one week ago, British Eurosport will continue to screen coverage of the MotoGP world championship in 2009.

A deal has been thrashed out with MotoGP rights owners Dorna and the BBC for coverage to continue on British Eurosport in 2009, which means MotoGP will have its most extensive coverage ever in the UK.

However, the deal will not include live coverage of the MotoGP race. With the BBC having exclusive rights to show MotoGP in the UK. British Eurosport will show the MotoGP race delayed on the same day and not live.

Live coverage of the 125 and 250 races will remain, as will British Eurosport’s heavy output of practice and qualifying from all three classes on Friday and Saturday.

It is all part of a new deal struck by British Eurosport bosses and follows similar negotiations conducted by French Eurosport with Dorna.

Dorna announced last June that it would end its long-standing collaboration with Eurosport. The decision was part of Dorna’s new strategy of working with national network broadcasters around Europe, always focusing first and foremost on free-to-air coverage to bring MotoGP to wider audiences.

That deal effectively ended Eurosport’s international coverage, but in October Dorna cut a deal to continue coverage with the French arm of Eurosport.

Dorna’s decision to ditch MotoGP provoked a flood of complaints from fans in the UK, upset at the loss of favourite commentary team made up of Julian Ryder, Toby Moody and Randy Mamola.

There is still no confirmation that Ryder, Moody and Mamola will remain part of Eurosport’s line-up.