Elías and Ivanov form Gresini Moto2 line-up

Taking up the challenge of the new Moto2 category – which will contest its inaugural season in 2010 – Team Gresini has selected a rider line-up of Toni Elías and Vladimir Ivanov.

Riding the Moriwaki MD600 chassis, the pair will bring a wealth of different experience to the new category, with Elías having competed in the MotoGP class for the past five seasons. Three of those were spent with Team Gresini (2006, 2007 and 2009) which brought a win and three further podiums, and the aim for the 26 year-old is to challenge for the Moto2 title this year.

“I am very pleased to continue racing with Team Gresini because it is like a family to me,” explained Elías. “Alongside Moriwaki we are beginning a new adventure in Moto2. We are extremely confident about the project and we will all work with great determination to get the maximum results possible.”

Team boss Fausto Gresini said: “Having Toni as our lead rider is a source of great motivation for everybody and his experience and professionalism will no doubt rub off on Vladimir and help him. Elías is a rider we know well and we have enjoyed great moments with him. He is determined, hard-working and professional and he is prepared to work on development with us. He has everything in place to be competitive at every race and there is no reason why the title should not be his target.”

Ivanov makes his debut on the World Championship stage having won the 2003 and 2004 Russian Supersport titles, and he made an impression in the 2009 Italian Supersport series. The 25 year-old was also strong in the German equivalent, in which he came second overall in 2008 and was the team-mate of Vladimir Leonov, who will also ride in the Moto2 class in 2010.

Ivanov said: “I have lots of experience on a Supersport bike and actually rode one last year in the Italian Championship, so I am sure that will help me go fast on the Moto2. I am very excited to be riding alongside such an experienced rider as Toni Elías and I can't wait to get out on track. Hopefully I can challenge for some good results.”

Gresini added: “For Vladimir Ivanov this is a completely new challenge and he is already feeding off the enthusiasm this team has transmitted to riders over the years. I am sure he is in the right place to enjoy good results. He has lots of experience in Supersport and that should help him adapt easily to Moto2.”