Ecstar Suzuki have confirmed that Moto2 star Joan Mir will join Alex Rins in their squad for the next two MotoGP season.

Mir, the reigning Moto3 world champ, will move up to the blue riband class after spending only a season in the middleweight - much like former Suzuki man Maverick Vinales.

“Joan Mir is only 20 years old now, already a World Champion with an impressive 10 wins last year and he has already proven several skills. He is fierce, he is witty, he is nice and he can be very fast. All the characteristics that we like to search for in a young rider, who wants to join us not only for the prestige of a factory machine in the top class but most of all because he believes in our racing project,” said team boss Davide Brivio.

“Talking to him I realised how much he has a clear mind, how much he liked our Suzuki project and wanted to join us. This has been a great boost for us. Of course, we know very well that he will need time to gain experience and grow with us, but we have full confidence in his potential.

“Suzuki management encouraged us to pursue the ‘young rider philosophy’ and with Joan I think we found the perfect protagonist for this role. With Alex and Joan we have two very talented riders and our target is to create a strong Team for the future.”