Rai renews Motocross World Championship rights deal

Italian state broadcaster Rai has extended an agreement for rights to the International Motorcycling Federation’s (FIM) Motocross World Championship (MXGP).

Rai signed the new deal, which covers the 2018 season, with Youthstream, the global rights manager of MXGP.

Rai will cover all events from the 2018 season on a delayed basis on the Thursday evening following race weekends.

Rai will also broadcast live coverage of this weekend’s MXGP Race 2 in Trentino, Italy, along with a host of other MXGP Race 2 events throughout the season.

Italy’s Antonio Cairoli (pictured) is a nine-time MXGP winner and the series’ defending champion.