Moto2 frontrunner Miguel Oliveira will graduate to MotoGP next year after agreeing one-year deal to join the KTM-backed Tech3 team.
Oliveira stepped up to Moto2 in 2016 with the Leopard team after finishing the '15 Moto3 season as runner-up with the Ajo KTM team, returning to the Austrian marque's ranks last year for its debut in the Moto2 class.
Winning the final three races of last season, Tech3 boss Herve Poncheral said on Thursday at Jerez that Oliveira had been offered a deal to join his squad by KTM and was his preferred option.
“It is very early in the season but I am really happy that KTM have seen enough from this year and the last to trust me and believe I deserve this opportunity in MotoGP,” Oliveira, who currently sits fourth in the Moto2 standings, said.
“I’m really thankful for that. I’ve always dreamed of MotoGP. I had it as a goal and to be able to achieve that is something so positive.
“We still have a long Moto2 season ahead and the fact that this is already done allows me to relax and really focus on my riding.
“I have been through all the steps that Red Bull and KTM have together since the Rookies Cup; I believe I’m the first.
“I think that shows other riders can trust in KTM and their project. I think I have the skills and the will to be able to perform well on a MotoGP bike.”
KTM boss Pit Beirer says Oliveira's progression through the Austrian marque's development program to MotoGP is an “emotional step” as it proves it can work.
“This is an emotional step for us because it proves all what we have said about building a structure in this paddock and being able to come from the Red Bull Rookies Cup, go through the classes with us and end up in a MotoGP team,” Beirer added.
“Together with Aki Ajo we created the Moto2 project to be the platform that develops riders for MotoGP and I have to thank Aki for this partnership because he is doing a great job with the riders; if they come out of his ‘school’ then they are ready for MotoGP and I’m happy we can give a chance to Miguel.”
Oliveira will become the first ever Portuguese rider to race in the premier class, and is so far the second Moto2 rider confirmed to be making the step up next year, after current standings leader Francesco Bagnaia penned a deal to join Pramac Ducati in January.
The Portuguese rider will replace Johann Zarco at Tech3, who will switch to the factory KTM squad alongside Pol Espargaro, the pair signing on through to the end of 2020, while the Tech3 Moto2 team will ditch its own Mistral 610 chassis in favour of KTM frames.
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