MotoGP race action will be free to air in the UK this weekend as ITV presents its first of two live events for the 2022 season.

Usually reserved for BT Sport subscribers with Monday night highlights free to the masses on ITV, the mainstream channel has again penned a deal for two live races, starting with the German GP.

Sunday sees presenter Orla Chennaoui joined by two former MotoGP riders, James Toseland and Bradley Smith, for the studio team with the race commentary care of Matt Birt, Simon Crafar et all via the world feed. With Smith still exempt from MotoE action due to fractured vertebrae sustained in his scary Le Mans Endurance crash in April, and Toseland settling in comfortably to life as a pundit with the Eurosport WorldSBK team, the pair should be well up to speed to discuss Quartararo’s run of form against the pursuing pack.

Sachsenring’s Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland premier class race will be showcased live on ITV’s main channel from 12:30 BST with Moto2 and Moto3 available on ITV4 from 09:30 BST.

Silverstone’s British GP, which takes place on 5th - 7th August, is also scheduled to have all three classes shown live on ITV’s main channel.

“I’m really looking forward to being on the ITV show this weekend,” Toseland said, fresh from a weekend of WorldSBK duties with EuroSport in Misano. “It’s the half way point of the season in Germany and it’s been the most difficult MotoGP season I’ve ever known in predicting the results.

“With 14 world champions on the grid and not an uncompetitive motorcycle out there this season, it’s building up to be one of the closest fought MotoGP titles in many, many years.”

“It’s nice to be welcomed back into the MotoGP world,” Smith added. “What a great team ITV has put together to cover the German GP.

“I’m still a big fan of MotoGP and have followed it closely over the last 18 months, and it will be fun to give my opinion instead of talking to myself at home!”