´óÏó´«Ã½

Update – 1 April 2009: this press release has been updated to reflect changed transmission details for the race in Qatar on 12 April. And the 20 September race in Balaton, Hungary has been cancelled.

---

´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport launches the 2009 MotoGP season on Sunday 12 April with live and exclusive coverage from the season's opening MotoGP race in Losail, Qatar.

Matt Roberts will be presenting live from the first two races in Qatar and Japan with Suzi Perry rejoining the ´óÏó´«Ã½ team in Jerez, Spain and taking up presenting duties for the rest of the MotoGP season.

Matt Roberts will return to reporting on all the live action from the pit-lanes, while expert commentary will be provided by Charlie Cox and former racer Steve Parrish.

In addition to the main race, the team will cover the pre-race build-up, bringing viewers interviews with the riders and their teams, and all the latest news and updates.

For the first time, live qualifying coverage of the 2009 MotoGP season, including the 125cc and 250cc races, will be available to view on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Red Button and ´óÏó´«Ã½ online at bbc.co.uk/motorbikes (UK users only).

Online viewers will also be able to use the website to access the full MotoGP Schedule. ´óÏó´«Ã½ Red Button viewers will also be able to watch MotoGP Extra after each European race.

Any viewers who miss the live MotoGP races will be able to watch these again using ´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer for seven days after each race.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live will provide listeners with all the big news stories and results from the MotoGP championship throughout the season.

Radio 5 Live will also broadcast 5 Live Bike Night, a special for 5 Live Sport which will take a look at the season so far and provide a preview of the British round of the MotoGP championship as well as broadcasting live from Donnington. For further information and schedules please visit the 5 Live website.

All MotoGP races are live and exclusive to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport.

The full MotoGP 2009 live TV schedule

12 April: Losail, Qatar; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three, 8.45-10.00pm

26 April: Motegi, Japan; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 5.45-7.00am

3 May: Jerez, Spain; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 12.30-2.00pm

17 May: Le Mans, France; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 12.30-2.00pm

31 May: Mugello, Italy; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 12.30-2.00pm

14 June: Catalunya, Spain; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 12.30-2.00pm

27 June: Assen, Netherlands; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 12.45-2.00pm

5 July: Laguna Seca, USA; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 9.30-11.00pm

19 July: Sachsenring, Germany; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 12.30-2.00pm

26 July: Donnington Park, UK; ´óÏó´«Ã½ One, 3.00-4.30pm

16 August: Brno, Czech Republic; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 12.30-2.00pm

30 August: Indianapolis, USA; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three, 7.50-9.00pm

6 September: Misano, San Marino; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 12.30-2.00pm

4 October: Estoril, Portugal; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 12.30-2.00pm

18 October: Philip Island, Australia; ´óÏó´«Ã½ One, 5.45-7.00am

25 October: Sepang, Malaysia; ´óÏó´«Ã½ One, 6.45-8.00am

8 November: Valencia, Spain; ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, 12.30-2.00pm

Notes to Editors

Transmission details correct as at 1 April 2009 and may be subject to change.

ST2