2015 Moto2 champion Johann Zarco has been announced at Tech 3 Yamaha for the 2017 MotoGP season.
The French racer will step up to the MotoGP series after claiming the Moto2 championship last year with Ajo Motorsport.
He is currently tied with Alex Rins at the top of the Moto2 standings in the 2016 season, after eight of the 18 rounds.
Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro are both moving across to KTM for next year, with Zarco joining the team alongside fellow Moto2 rider Jonas Folger.
His contract is for the 2017 season in MotoGP with Tech 3 Yamaha but it also includes a one year option with the team.
“It goes without saying that I am very happy to join the MotoGP class with Tech3 and I am confident that we can form a solid partnership,” he said.
“The team has a deep relationship and long history with Yamaha and they have proved that they can manage well in every situation and have had a good package year after year.
“This pleases me and it gives me extra motivation for reaching my targets in the 2017 season. Of course, it seems like a logical step for a French team and a French champion to work together, and now finally the deal is done which is certainly positive news.
“I really will do my best and prepare myself for the maximum because I think it’s more than possible to get some top results in MotoGP after my long experience in the intermediate class.”
