MotoGP’s private♈ equity owners Bridgepoint has hired advisors Lazard on a potential sale, according to reports.

Bridgepoinꦿt has called on bankers Lazard for a review of Dorna – the Spanish holding company which runs MotoGP and World Superbikes – with a view to sell in 2019.

has named former owners CVC as a leading🌺 party interested in the sale having sold the business to Bridgepoint in 2006 for around €500 million as part of its arrangements whജen acquiring Formula 1.

Last year CVC finalised its F1 sale to US-based media giants Liberty Media for an estimate✤d value of $8 billion with an equity value of $4.4 billion.

In 2012, Bridgepoint s𓆉old a 39% stake in Dorna to Canaಞdian pension fund investment group CPPIB, with Bridgepoint owning around 40% of the business, while under Bridgepoint control Dorna has reportedly undergone three dividend recapitalisations with new debt being used to give cash to shareholders.

Dorna🤡 became MotoGP controllers in 1999 when it secured the rights and has overseen a strong growth in the championship with huge sponsorship, television and advertising deals.

At last weekend’s Valencia MotoGP, Dorna announced a partnership 🐼extension until 2021 with tobacco company Philip Morris International, a collaboration which has run for almost three decades, and launches a ‘smoke-free world’ campaign next year.

A key broadcasting deal was also announced at the 2018 MotoGP finale in Valencia with 🎉live streaming service DAZN picking up the Spanish rights from long-time partners Movistar.

Rival US media group Discov🔴ery are also thought to be keeping an eye on developments. The group owns Eurosport of have TV rights in Wo💮rld Superbikes and British Superbikes.