Gino Rea will fly the British flag in the World Supersport 600cc Championship this season after signing a deal with the Czech Intermoto Honda team.

The 20-year-old, from Ewell, won the 2009 European Superstock 600 Championship after a dramatic title shootout in Portugal, Rea winning the crown for the Ten Kate Honda Jnr team by a single point.

Since then, Rea has targeted a step up to the World Supersport Championship and landed a test on the title-winning Yamaha R6 at the post-season test in Portugal.

Following a recent successful test at Cartagena with the Intermoto team, Rea flew to Prague to sign contracts with them for 2010, using Honda machinery.

He will take Andrew Stone, who he linked up with in 2008, with him as chief technician and will ride alongside the experienced Italian Massimo Roccoli.

Rea said: “I couldn’t be happier. The team has a new colour scheme for this year and I get to run my number four, which I am really pleased about.

“I have had number four since I first rode a bike at the age of three.

“I won my first motocross championship with it and more recently the Superstock title in 2009.”

Rea said tests with the new at Cartagena had gone well and that he had proved he was capable of high speeds on a Supersport bike.

“This is what I have worked for since I come to the World SBK paddock in 2007,” added Rea.

“I hoped winning the Superstock 600cc would help secure me a ride – and eventually it has. I am looking forward to a new challenge and I cant wait to get things under way.

“I am thankful that Intermoto Honda have given me the opportunity to race with them and, as always, I will be working my best to repay their faith in me.”

The first World Superport race will be on February 28 at Phillip Island, Australia.