Reale Avintia have this afternoon announced they will upgraded from a customer to a satellite Ducati MotoGP team with a two-year contract extension.
The new deal adds fuel to the rumour that team boss Paolo Ciabatti is to lure Johann Zarco to the big red machine for 2020 and the Frenchman was seen leaving the Bologna's marque's racetruck today after a meeting with Ciabatti and Gigi Dall'Igna.
"From now on, the structure will be a satellite team of the Italian manufacture and will have significant improvements that will allow the team do a step forward with the goal of being a reference team in the paddock," said a team spokesman.