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BBC to show MotoGP until 2009
News, 07/04/04
The season presentation press conference for MotoGP in London’s Dominion Theatre on Tuesday brought excellent news for the fans of motorcycle racing’s top series in the UK, with BBC Sport confirming a five-year contract to broadcast the MotoGP World Championship, extending coverage until 2009. The new contract will also mean an increase in MotoGP coverage on the BBC. In 2004, twelve out of sixteen races will be live, and all rounds will be shown in full.
BBC Director of Sport, Peter Salmon said: "MotoGP is a genuine world class championship, the F1 equivalent of the motorbike world, and we're delighted to have signed a new deal to broadcast the Championship through to 2009.
“We're particularly pleased that this deal will mean a substantial increase in the number of races we are able to show live, giving viewers more chances to see the likes of Britain's Neil Hodgson, Shane Byrne and Jeremy McWilliams taking on World Champion Valentino Rossi.
“It's another significant addition to our long term rights portfolio and we're looking forward to working in partnership with Dorna to bring the spills and thrills of MotoGP to the widest possible audience."
Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna's CEO said: "The support that MotoGP is receiving from the BBC is a major boost for the progression of our sport in the UK, and this is something that we want to thank them for. We all know that Britain has always been a country devoted to motorsport, and especially to motorcycle racing, as has been proved throughout the years with legends such as Mike Hailwood, Barry Sheene, Phil Read, John Surtees and Geoff Duke.
“Now that Grand Prix racing has entered a new era with the MotoGP category, it is time that the UK recovers its leading role. The presence of top riders such as Hodgson, Byrne or McWilliams already shows this way, but at least as important is the backing of the BBC, whose programming and support in 2004 and the years to come shows that they really believe in MotoGP. We can only be proud of this partnership."