The reasons behind the BBC decision

Grandstand producer Belinda Rogerson explained the BBC’s decision to drop live WSB this Sunday. She Said: " Unfortunately, the scheduled date for the 1st round in Valencia was moved from March 9 to March 2 late in 2002. We had planned to show both of the races during the day on BBC TWO on March 9, however the schedule of sport that we were already committed to showing on March 2, including Rugby League Challenge Cup, Rugby Union Powergen Cup and World Indoor Athletics, was such that there was not enough time to cover the World Superbike races within Sunday Grandstand. Rather than letting viewers wait a week for the highlights we decided to take the late night slot offered by BBC2.

With the exception of Laguna Seca, which happens very late on a Sunday night, all World Superbike programmes will be shown in Sunday Grandstand and we are live for both races with an extensive build-up for both Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

Normal coverage of the World Superbikes will resume for the next round – Phillip Island, Australia on March 30th at 3pm within Sunday Grandstand.

We are very committed to offering bike fans the best coverage we can and I am equally disappointed that the first round is so late but the events were beyond our control.

I would like to reassure World Superbike fans that the late evening scheduling of the opening round in Valencia in no way reflects a change in the BBC’s commitment to World Superbikes.

Normal afternoon coverage will resume for the second race from Phillip Island, Australia which will be shown on March 30 at 3pm in Sunday Grandstand.

BBC Sport is committed to covering World Superbikes, and with coverage of British Superbikes and this year’s addition of Moto GP. "