Moto2 rider Hafizh Syahrin looks set to take the vacant seat at the Tech3 MotoGP team, after the Sepang International Circuit team announced Zulfhami Khairuddin will replace him for this season.
The Tech3 squad has been in search of a second rider after Jonas Folger announced he would be sitting out the 2018 season in order to fully recover from the strain of Gilbert Syndrome which forced him out of the final four rounds of his rookie campaign.
Former Pramac and Avintia MotoGP rider Yonny Hernandez replaced the German at the opening pre-season test at Sepang, but with a contract to race in World Superbikes with Pedercini under his belt, the Colombian did not appear to be a full-time option.
In recent days, Moto2 riders Dominique Aegerter, Hector Barbera and Syharin, as well as Yamaha test rider Kohta Nozane – who replaced Folger at Motegi last year – emerged as favourites for the ride.
Since then, the SIC Moto2 team – who will contest the intermediate class for the first time – has confirmed former Moto3 podium finisher Khairuddin will join the one-rider outfit this year, paving the way for his countryman Syahrin to become Malaysia's first ever MotoGP rider.
Syahrin stepped up to the intermediate class in 2014 and proved to be a consistent runner in the series. He finished last year 10th in the standings and with a podium finish, having taken third in Japan.
Compatriot Khairuddin's future looked uncertain after the Orelac Supersport team he rode for in '17 stepped up to WorldSBK for this season.
