Avintia confirms Tito Rabat for 2018

Reale Avintia Ducati has confirmed the signing of Tito Rabat for the 2018 MotoGP season.

The long-rumoured deal means the former Moto2 champion will return to the team with which he started in world championship racing, back in 2005.

Rabat, out of a seat at Marc VDS Honda, will race a Desmosedici GP17.

“I’m very happy to sign with Reale Avintia Racing and to race with Ducati in 2018," Rabat said. "I think we have done a good job in two years with Honda, but I think that it is time to change. Now I have a new opportunity to demonstrate that I can be fast and competitive in MotoGP.

"I’ll be racing in a team that I know since my childhood and with a bike that I think will suit my size and my style to perfection. This is a great opportunity and I’ll make the best of it. I will fight and give it all to be successful. I want to say thank you to Ducati and Reale Avintia Racing for trusting in me”.

Team boss Raul Romero added: “Tito is like a son for me. He rode his first race for me in the Spanish Championship and he made his debut in the World Championship with my team. During his career, he raced in several teams, but always comes back home. After 125cc und Moto2, this is the third time Tito returns to our team and this time is in the MotoGP class.

"I’m convinced that this will be the pinnacle in his career and that we’ll achieve great results together with Ducati. Tito is a hard worker and this was his secret to become Moto2 World Champion. Next season he will ride a Desmosedici GP17, a bike that is on top of the classification with Dovizioso and that has been extremely competitive this year."

Loris Baz and Hector Barbera currently race for Avintia, but both are in danger of losing their seats with Xavier Simeon hotly linked to the remaining 2018 Avintia ride.