WSS: Crimea backing turns Intermoto into Step Racing

The Intermoto Czech team has been formally revealed as Step Racing following a presentation that also revealed significant backing from the Crimea Grand Prix.

The transformed outfit will enter the World Supersport Championship in 2011 after retaining the services of Gino Rea and signing Vladimir Ivanov, who in turn has brought the Crimea GP sponsorship with him.

Ivanov competed in the Moto2 World Championship last season with eventual champions Gresini Racing, but the Ukrainian will now target WSS success alongside Rea as part of Step Racing.

With the Crimea GP organisers coming on board as part of a plan to take motorcycle racing to Ukraine for the first time, Rea is thrilled to be competing with a prominent backer in 2011 as he targets the title in his second WSS season.

"This is a really exciting prospect," he said. "Having a backer as enthusiastic as this means a great deal and the Crimea Grand Prix Circuit will be a fantastic facility. The name of the team has changed, but I still have my same crew on my side of the garage, so for me I get to keep the consistency from 2010.

"Our potential is already much higher than last year so I want to bring the Step Racing Team strong results; the first race in Australia is just around the corner now. I've improved both physically and mentally so I can't wait."