A few months ago, as I’m sure you’ve probably heard from more ‘newsworthy’ blogs and sources, Dorna announced that they wanted to increase MotoGP coverage across Europe by giving priority to free-to-air television networks and they had decided that the BBC would have exclusive coverage of MotoGP for 2009 (and Eurosport would lose the rights to show MotoGP).

Currently the BBC covers the main race (usually on BBC2), and qualifying, the 125 and 250 races are only shown on the BBC’s BBCi service’ – there is also no free practice shown, no real post race interviews, and a nasty habit of cutting the programs short and allowing MotoGP to be pushed off the schedule. Over the last few races, as well as having to listen to Charlie Cox, BBC viewers have had to cope with a load of scheduling issues, lack of 125 and 250 coverage – some choice highlights of vocal motogp fans from the BBC forum below:

The BBC have also secured rights for F1 coverage and haven’t really issued a definitive plan of action to keep both MotoGP and F1 fans happy on those race days where there may a conflict or clash over times – the concern is clearly that F1 will get the key coverage and MotoGP will get relegated to one of the interactive channels. Until clarity about the BBC’s MotoGP plans are revealed, fans have only got this year’s evidence and general mistreatment of MotoGP at the hands of the BBC to assume that next year could be a diaster.

A petition to Dorna has been online for a while to keep MotoGP on Eurosport and is currently showing well over 5,000 signatures, make your voice heard here: KEEP MOTOGP ON EUROSPORT

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