BBC Sportmotorsport

BBC Sport will cover live every race of this dramatic series, in which daring passing moves and spectacular crashes are everyday occurrences.

The key story will be the attempts of five-time champion Valentino Rossi (pictured) to wrest the title from rising star Casey Stoner, last year's surprise winner.

But with the graduation of World Superbike champion James Toseland there is major British interest, too.