Aleix Espargaro has been confirmed at the Aprilia MotoGP team for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
The Spaniard has secured a two-year deal and will partner Sam Lowes next year, meaning Aprilia will field an all-new line-up next year.
Alex Rins was recently announced as Andrea Iannone’s team-mate at Suzuki, which confirmed Espargaro’s departure from the team.
He will now make the switch to Aprilia for his seventh full season in MotoGP, partnering current Moto2 frontrunner Lowes. The news was announced over the Dutch TT weekend at Assen.
Espargaro made his MotoGP debut in 2009 with Pramac and started racing full-time in the series in 2012, riding for ART, Forward Yamaha and Suzuki.
His best finish in the final standings so far has been seventh place in 2014. Since moving up to MotoGP he has scored one podium and two pole positions.
The news of his switch to Aprilia leaves current riders Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl without seats for the 2017 season.
