MotoGP fans in the UK will be able to enjoy the most complete coverage ever of the sport, thanks to agreements for 2009 between the championship’s commercial rights-holders Dorna Sports and both the BBC and British Eurosport. More than 23 million UK viewers watched live coverage of MotoGP during 2008, and thanks to the combined efforts of the two networks to increase their broadcast hours in 2009, that figure is set to rise. The BBC coverage is the public broadcaster’s biggest ever offering of the world’s premier motorcycling championship, with all the scheduled 18 rounds of the MotoGP World Championship to be shown live on BBC television. Additionally, all the rounds from the ultra-competitive 250cc and 125cc World Championships will be shown live on the BBC’s Red Button, as well as full coverage of all three of Saturday’s qualifying sessions (MotoGP, 250cc and 125cc). There is also a return for the popular MotoGP Extra programme, on the Red Button, immediately following the majority of European rounds, which brings the immediate reaction from the experts and the riders themselves. For those unable to catch the races live, the BBC will continue to offer the action via its popular iPlayer platform for seven days following each event. (Additionally the live coverage will be looped on the Red Button on the evening of the race in question.) Philip Bernie, BBC, Head of TV Sport Editorial, said: “We are delighted to be offering more than ever of the world’s leading motorcycle series. 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.” In order to complement the BBC’s coverage, British Eurosport will also broadcast MotoGP extensively this year. The UK arm of Europe’s popular digital sports network will air all practice and qualifying sessions live from the Friday and Saturday of each Grand Prix weekend, followed by live coverage of the 125cc and 250cc races on Sundays. The MotoGP races will also be available on the channel on a same-day-delayed basis. Furthermore, the British Eurosport transmissions will be available as video on demand for seven days via the Eurosport Player at the Eurosport.yahoo.co.uk website. With Briton James Toseland battling Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner for glory in the MotoGP class, and his compatriots fighting for the title in the 125cc class, including the youngest ever Grand Prix winner Scott Redding, 2009 is set to be a bumper year for MotoGP in the UK.