Friday 5th March, 2004

Dorna Sports S.L., the commercial rights holder of the FIM Road Racing Grand Prix World Championship (MotoGP), have signed an agreement with the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board to take over the commercial rights of the British Superbike Championship from 2004 to 2008.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, the Chief Executive Officer of Dorna Sports, said "The British Superbike Championship is highly regarded as one of the best national motorcycle racing series in the world, and we are delighted to become the long term promoter to further enhance its profile and importance."

On behalf of the governing body's Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board, Chairman Dennis Carter explained "The British Superbike Championship has reached its pinnacle in the UK since being created nine years ago and it is of prime importance for the MCRCB to see its long term future and stability guaranteed and broadened to a wider market.  We firmly believe Dorna Sports can achieve this and are delighted to have made this agreement with the Grand Prix World Championship rights holders."

Current 2003 British Superbike Champion Shane Byrne has graduated to this years MotoGP series riding the factory Aprilia.  Former British Superbike Champions Neil Hodgson (2000) and Troy Bayliss (1999) are also 2004 MotoGP factory riders.

Since the inception of the British Superbike Championship in 1995, the Donington Park-based Two Four Sports company held the promotion rights until 1999 when the Octagon-based BMP company took over commercial operations until the end of the 2003 season.

ENDS