Brad Binder will join Pol Espargaro in the works Red Bull KTM MotoGP team in 2020 alongside Pol Espargaro.

The South African, who had been scheduled to join Miguel Oliviera in the satellite Tech3 line-up, has been further promoted to fill the space left by Johann Zarco’s early departure.

“It was clear that our plans for 2020 needed to change following our mid-season announcement,” said KTM motorsport chief Pit Beirer.

“After some thought and talks we decided to move in this direction and let the young, hungry guys with good experience in the other categories of MotoGP show us what they can do.

“Brad is a rider that has made his way through the KTM structure and we have no doubt whatsoever that he can walk into the Red Bull KTM team and keep showing that same style and never-give-up attitude we have seen for a long time.”

Binder’s spot at Tech3 will be taken by youngster Iker Lecuona.