Eurosport confirms Moody, Ryder - no Mamola
Following Thursday's announcement that British Eurosport will continue to broadcast MotoGP in 2009, it has now been confirmed that two of the three members of its popular commentary team will also 'return'.
Dorna announced last year that, as part of its new strategy, the BBC would be the only place for British viewers to watch MotoGP in 2009. That prompted an angry reaction from many fans, worried at missing out on live practice and qualifying - as well as the popular commentary line-up of Toby Moody, Julian Ryder and Randy Mamola.
Following Thursday's announcement that British Eurosport will continue to broadcast MotoGP in 2009, it has now been confirmed that two of the three members of its popular commentary team will also 'return'.
Dorna announced last year that, as part of its new strategy, the BBC would be the only place for British viewers to watch MotoGP in 2009. That prompted an angry reaction from many fans, worried at missing out on live practice and qualifying - as well as the popular commentary line-up of Toby Moody, Julian Ryder and Randy Mamola.
In what appears to have been a victory for people power, Thursday's announcement by Dorna stated that British Eurosport would now 'compliment' the expanding BBC coverage by broadcasting all grand prix weekend action live - except the MotoGP race, which will be shown live on the BBC and later in the day on British Eurosport.
"It's really the best news possible that we'll have this fantastic series back on British Eurosport after all and we owe a massive thanks to all the fans who championed our coverage," said Dave Kerr, director of British Eurosport.
A Eurosport statement released on Friday morning added that "Toby Moody and Julian Ryder will still commentate" but that "Randy Mamola will sadly not be part of the presentation team, due to the reduced on-site presence for the majority of rounds".
Mamola, a 13 time 500cc race winner, had provided expert insight whilst operating as a pit lane reporter, but with Eurosport now covering the majority of 2009 events remotely such a trackside role appears to no longer exist.
Nevertheless, Eurosport believes that it can continue to offer fans the coverage they desire and is looking forward to the season ahead.
"Toby and Julian are back and I hope many of those fans [who wanted MotoGP to stay on Eurosport] will return to enjoy our presentation," said Kerr. "MotoGP will remain a massive priority in our schedules and our viewers will still be able to see every minute of every race weekend on British Eurosport."
