BT Sport will continue to broadcast live MotoGP TV coverage in the UK until at least the end of 2021, the company has announced.

It was also revealed that former grand prix rider Michael Laverty will join BT's commentary line-up, following the retirement of Julian Ryder.

Laverty - racing for Tyco BMW in BSB this season and well regarded for his insight during previous TV appearances - will join the continuing Suzi Perry, Craig Doyle, Colin Edwards, Neil Hodgson, James Toseland, Keith Huewen and Gavin Emmett.

Manel Arroyo, Managing Director at Dorna Sports, commented: “We are delighted to have extended our agreement with BT Sport for another three years.

"During our current agreement with BT Sport, MotoGP fans in the UK and Ireland have been treated to live coverage of all sessions of all Grands Prix on the BT Sport channels, with a fantastic team of presenters onsite to bring all the behind the scenes news and action from the paddock.

"We look forward to BT Sport continuing to provide fans in the British Isles with such high quality coverage of the Championship during the 2019 – 2021 seasons, as well as their promotion of the MotoGP World Championship to a wider audience.

"We also look forward to co-operating with BT Sport around the newly launched British Talent Cup, which will debut in 2018. This is an example of BT Sport and Dorna working together to support and develop young riders from the British Isles in the first step on their journey towards the MotoGP World Championship.”

BT signed an initial 5-year deal for exclusive (if you don’t count the Dorna video pass) rights to show live MotoGP coverage in the UK and Ireland from 2014, replacing British Eurosport and the BBC.

The BT coverage was initially free to its broadband customers, but became part of a new subscription Sport package in August 2015

Race highlights are also shown free-too-air on Channel 5 the following evening.