British Eurosport to broadcast live WSBK action in 2011

British fans of the World Superbike Championship should get ready to set their alarm clocks for the Phillip Island curtain-raiser later this month - with Eurosport set to provide comprehensive live coverage once again

17 Feb 2011

Corser, Race Start, Misano WSBK Race 1 2010
© Gold and Goose

The 2011 World Superbike Championship will continue to benefit from live coverage on British Eurosport, it has been confirmed - with the flag set to drop on the new season in less than a fortnight's time with the Phillip Island curtain-raiser Down Under in Australia.

The championship will receive live coverage from every round on British Eurosport, with all European rounds being shown in high-definition on Eurosport HD. Every Superbike, Superstock and Supersport race will also be available live online via the Eurosport Player.

Presenter Tony Carter will once again front British Eurosport's studio coverage and will be joined by Neil Hodgson, James Haydon and a host of other special guests throughout the season, although there will be no studio presentation at Phillip Island. Commentary duo Jack Burnicle and James Whitham will similarly return for another season behind the mic, guiding fans through all the action.

Six Brits will contest the series in 2011 in a changed line-up that sees Eugene Laverty make the step-up from the World Supersport Championship to join Yamaha Sterilgarda, Cal Crutchlow departing for MotoGP and Shane Byrne returning to the British Superbike Championship.

Last year's runner-up Leon Haslam will compete for BMW alongside two-time WSBK Champion Troy Corser, whilst Leon Camier (Aprilia), Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) all remain with the same teams from last season. After finishing ninth on his return to the world championship in 2010, meanwhile, former double champion James Toseland will be racing for the satellite BMW Italia outfit.

Last season at Phillip Island, Haslam got his challenge off to the perfect start, leading the race from lights to chequered flag to claim his maiden WSBK victory.

Eurosport's Australian coverage will begin at 4am UK time on Saturday, 26 February with the Superpole session live on British Eurosport 2, with the two WSBK races and the WSS outing live on British Eurosport the next day followed by highlights on British Eurosport 2 later on Sunday morning and again in the afternoon.