<I>BBC</I> agrees live coverage until 2009.

BBC Sport has revealed a new five-year contract to broadcast television coverage of the MotoGP Championship, extending its existing deal until 2009.

The new contract will also mean an increase in MotoGP coverage on the channel, with twelve of the 14 rounds to be shown live in 2004, and all rounds to be shown in full.

"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," commented BBC director of sport, Peter Salmon, "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."

"The support that MotoGP is receiving from the BBC is a major boost for the progression of our sport in the UK," added Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, "We all know that Britain has always been a country devoted to motorsport, and especially to motorcycle racing, as it 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 performance 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."

BBC Sport's motorcycling presenter Suzi Perry will present coverage of the championship, beginning live on 18 April at Phakisa Freeway, South Africa. The BBC's expert duo of Charlie Cox and Steve Parrish will provide commentary for all rounds.

Sunday Grandstand will preview the championship this weekend [11 April], with reigning world champion Valentino Rossi the subject of 'The Big Interview'.