The Avintia privateer MotoGP team has announced that Tito Rabat will be joining them for the 2018 season, where he will ride a Ducati Desmosedici GP17.
The Spaniard currently rides for Marc VDS Honda after joining in 2016, his best finish a ninth place at Argentina last year. He currently sits 18th in the standings with 27 points to his name.
Rabat is hopeful of moving forward with the Avintia team and thanked them for the opportunity.
"I’m very happy to sign with Reale Avintia Racing and to race with Ducati in 2018. Now I have a new opportunity to demonstrate that I can be fast and competitive in MotoGP.
"I’ll be racing in a team that I know since my childhood and with a bike that I think will suit my size and my style to perfection. This is a great opportunity and I’ll make the best of it. I will fight and give it all to be successful. I want to say thank you to Ducati and Reale Avintia Racing for trusting in me."
Team boss Raúl Romero added: "Tito is like a son for me. He rode his first race for me in the Spanish Championship and he made his debut in the World Championship with my team. During his career, he raced in several teams, but always comes back home. After 125cc and Moto2, this is the third time Tito returns to our team and this time is in the MotoGP class.
"I’m convinced that this will be the pinnacle in his career and that we’ll achieve great results together with Ducati. Tito is a hard worker and this was his secret to become Moto2 World Champion. Next season he will ride a Desmosedici GP17, a bike that is on top of the classification with Dovizioso and that has been extremely competitive this year.”
The team has yet to announce Rabat's team-mate, although it's believed Moto2 rider Xavier Simeon is favourite, whilst current riders Loris Baz and Hector Barbera remain in with a chance of staying.
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