Interwetten will back a MotoGP team next season, as title sponsor of the Interwetten Honda MotoGP Team. 250cc world champion Hiroshi Aoyama will be making the step up to the premier class of international biking to ride for the team.

"We want to support Hiroshi in gaining experience in MotoGP and to establish ourselves together in the premier class," said Daniel M. Epp, who will manage the team, in a statement. Interwetten will also back Thomas Luthi, who will ride for the Interwetten Moto2 team.

Interwetten chief executive Wolfgang Fabian added: "Interwetten is one of the most modern betting providers in Europe. The dynamic and innovation should also reflect in our commitment in motorsports. Just like Interwetten, MotoGP stands for spectacular action, first-class sports and excitement until the last bend.

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"Also, it is highly popular in important Interwetten markets in countries such as Spain and Greece, and also in Germany and Switzerland and therefore MotoGP is the ideal platform to increase the popularity of our brand in these countries."