Two-time British Touring Car Champion John Cleland is joining the British Eurosport commentary team for this season's World Touring Car Championship.

Cleland, who won his titles in 1989 and 1995, is one of the most revered drivers on the touring car circuit, with some 98 podium finishes across his career.

John joins Eurosport following the tragic death of David Leslie, who died in a plane crash earlier this year. David, a former BTCC and British F3 driver, spent almost a decade commentating for Eurosport alongside Martin Haven.

Paying tribute to his late friend, Cleland said: "I knew David very well and competed against him on the track for many years. He was a good driver, engineer and, latterly, commentator. He was only in his early fifties and that makes it even more tragic.

"David will be a hard act to follow, but I am looking forward to the season. I hope I can provide viewers with a driver's view and a different slant."

Haven is looking forward to working alongside John.

"John became a household name during the heyday of the BTCC in the 1990s and is still probably this country's most recognised touring car driver. He should add extra spice to what is already shaping up to be a classic WTCC season," he said.

British Eurosport welcomes John as the WTCC season begins to take shape. Three-time champion Andy Priaulx is facing a stiff challenge to defend his title with strong showings so far from Sweden's Rickard Rydell, Italian Gabriele Tarquini and Frenchman Yvan Muller. SEAT leads the manufacturers' championship with BMW and Chevrolet some way behind.

Next Race: Valencia, Spain

Saturday 17 May

1400-1430 LIVE Qualifying on Eurosport 2

Sunday 18 May

0830-0900 LIVE Warm-Up on Eurosport

1045-1145 LIVE Race 1 on Eurosport 2

1400-1530 LIVE Race 2 on Eurosport

2030-2130 Highlights on Eurosport

There are still ten race weekends to go, all of which will be broadcast on British Eurosport, Eurosport 2 and uk.eurosport.yahoo.com! Eurosport is available on Sky 410 and Virgin Media 521; Eurosport 2 is available on Sky 411 and Virgin Media 525

Eurosport