Current Moto3 championship leader Joan Mir will move into the Moto2 championship next year after signing a three-year deal with the Estrella Galicia Marc VDS team.
Mir opened the 2017 season with back-to-back wins in Qatar and Argentina, following that up with a third place in Spain and another victory in France.
It is this form that has given the 19-year-old a 34-point advantage at the top of the Moto3 World Championship standings after six of 18 races.
“We’ve had our eye on Joan for quite some time, first in CEV and then in Moto3 when he made his debut in the World Championship,” said team boss Michael Bartholemy.
“We saw right at the start of last year that he had the talent, drive and determination to be a championship contender and he’s proved us right this season. I am looking forward to welcoming him into the team and I am confident that the combination of his talent and our technical staff will ensure a smooth and rapid transition from Moto3 championship contender to Moto2 frontrunner.”
