WSS: Female rider signs up for Supersport

Paola Cazzola is set to become the first female rider to compete in the World Supersport Championship on a full-time basis after being signed by Kuja Racing.

The 32-year-old has competed in her native Italy for the past few seasons, dominating the 'Women's Championship', but also tasting success against men in the R6 Metzeler Cup.

Now Cazzola will graduate to the international stage in the Supersport class, riding a Honda prepared by Kuja Racing alongside Danilo Dell'Omo, who finished 19th in the standings for the team in 2009.

Cazzola won't be the first female rider to enter the Supersport ranks. Both Melissa Paris and Marie-Jose Boucher received wild-cards for the Miller Motorsports Park round of WSS last year, while former GP rider Katja Poensgen did a round of the World Supersport Series back in 1998. Cazzola is set to become the first rider to sign up for a full season, however.