Moto3 World Championship leader Lorenzo Dalla Porta will link up with the Italtrans Moto2 squad for 2020 and ’21, replacing Andrea Locatelli.
Dalla Porta is currently competing in his third full season in the lightweight class, leading the standings by 14 points over MAX Racing Team’s Aron Canet despite scoring just a solitary win at the Sachsenring in Germany.
The Italian managed fifth overall in his sophomore Moto3 season last year, picking up his maiden win at Misano on the way, following a sub-par rookie season in which he managed just 28th overall on Mahindra machinery in ‘17.
Locatelli meanwhile has struggled in his third year competing for the Italtrans squad, lagging behind rookie team-mate Enea Bastianini to the tune of 35 points despite scoring his best ever result of sixth in the Dutch TT at Assen.
“I’m very happy to join Italtrans Racing Team,” said Dalla Porta.
“It's a reference team in Moto2 and I’m so proud to race in the category with them.
“It’s a great emotion. I hope it will be an important year getting good results. Thanks to the whole team for the support.”
Laura Bertulessi, Italtrans team manager, added;
“Lorenzo is a young and talented rider. We are happy he joins our family: we believe that his talent and continuous growth will allow both the team and him to achieve important results.
“This union gives an added value, above all after the project started with Enea, who now is the Moto2 rookie and has already got an amazing podium.
“I'm sure that Lorenzo will follow in his footsteps and together we will achieve great results.”
Dalla Porta is the latest Moto3 talent to announce his graduation to the intermediate class for next season, following on from title rival Canet and Leopard team-mate Marcos Ramirez.
Canet signed a one year deal with the Angel Nieto team to likely replace Jake Dixon for 2020, while Ramirez penned a two year contract with American Racing to take over from Iker Lecuona, who will race with Ajo Motorsport in what will be a KTM supported programme.
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