Motorsport on TV in 2009 – that’s the theme for this last normal week of the year

It’s not been an easy year for MotoGP coverage. First it was going to be BBC only, then Eurosport got it back too, albeit with the MotoGP race delayed.

Then there was Sepang, when the BBC switched channels halfway through and finished before the podium and interviews. Not a lot to make die-hard fans happy.

One BBC highlight was an appearance from Randy Mamola, who was lost from the Eurosport coverage. He couldn’t resist a cheeky comment about the furore, if you can call it that.

What of the BBC‘s coverage, then? Suzi Perry is fine, and seems to put riders at ease well and get some decent interviews as a result. Matt Roberts I rate very highly, mainly because he knows what he’s talking about and isn’t self-obsessed.

Which brings me to the commentators. I had warmed to Charlie Cox, but now I’ve very much cooled again. I’ve heard his one-liners too many times (“he needs that like a third armpit”, “are there any questions”, etc), and the tedious banter between him and the rather bland Steve Parrish is tiresome.

There are exceptions though, and one such was Cox bursting Jorge Lorenzo’s pomposity bubble during his victory celebrations in Japan.

Plenty of room for improvement, then. But I’m not sure I can see it being made.