Moto2 rider Alex Rins will graduate to the Suzuki MotoGP team for the 2017 season, the team confirmed on Monday.
Rins will join Andrea Iannone as part of an entirely new line-up for the Japanese manufacturer, with Iannone joining from Ducati for the 2017 and 2018 seasons, replacing current riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales.
"Alex is a young rider who has already proven to have much talent, always fighting within the top positions of the World Championship since his debut in every class, making him the type of rider who we want to support for the future," said Suzuki team boss David Brivio.
"To pair Andrea Iannone, an experienced rider with such a young talent as Alex creates a perfect combination for our challenge."
Brivio thanked Espargaro for his time with the team: "It wasn’t an easy choice and we feel sorry for Aleix who we would like to thank for his hard work and the real passion he has continued to put in our project since it started," he added.
"We wish him all the best for his future but in the meantime we will support as best as we can to try to get the best possible results together until the end of this season."
