[RideApart] - MotoGP: Espargaro Move to KTM Grows More Likely

[Ninjette Newsbot]

MotoGP: Espargaro Move to KTM Grows More Likely

Yamaha has officially announced that Pol Espargaro will cease to feature among its ranks from 2017 onwards, paving the way for the Spaniard to join KTM.

Espargaro, who had signed a contract with Yamaha back in 2013 during his title run in Moto2, has raced in MotoGP for satellite team Tech 3 Yamaha since 2014. However, a weak sophomore campaign last year meant that Yamaha's Lin Jarvis publicly admitted Espargaro had not even been considered as a candidate to replace Ducati-bound Jorge Lorenzo in the factory team in 2017.


Pol EspargaroAs such, while Espargaro had the option to remain with Tech 3 for another year, he will instead leave the marque, joining forces with KTM for the Austrian manufacturer's premier class venture.

Despite his impending split with Yamaha, Espargaro will still contest the 2016 Suzuka 8 Hours for the manufacturer, having won on his debut in 2015.


Espargaro's replacement at Tech 3, which has already signed Moto2's Jonas Folger to replace its other soon-to-be-former rider Bradley Smith, is to be "announced in due course".

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