Source: MotoGP.

The Marc VDS Racing Team has announced that Alex Marquez will join the team to contest the 2015 Moto2 World Championship alongside his compatriot and current series leader, Tito Rabat.

Spanish champion in 2012, 18-year-old Marquez has impressed this year in just his second full season in the Moto3 World Championship.

“I am so proud and excited to announce I am joining Marc VDS Racing Team in Moto2 for the next two years,” Marquez said. “It is very important for me because I am changing class with a fantastic team and a strong teammate.

“I have been working hard to be here and I want to thank the Marc VDS Racing Team for their trust in me. But now it’s time to focus on Moto3, we are in the most important moment of the season and our mission is to fight for the championship.”

The 18-year-old Spaniard has two wins and three second places to his name and currently lies second in the series standings, just 13 points behind championship leader Jack Miller with six races left to run.

“It has always been our goal to bring young riders into Moto2 and Alex Marquez is the perfect fit for us,” commented team principal Michael Bartholemy. “He has shown he has both the talent and the drive to succeed with some impressive performances over the past two years, which are the attributes we want as we look towards the future.

“Having Tito Rabat alongside him and an experienced team behind him will help with Álex’s transition from Moto3 to Moto2 next year. I am confident that in 2016 he will be ready to step up and spearhead our World Championship campaign.”

The news of Marquez’s signing ends the possibility of Miller racing with Marc VDS in 2015 following a public dispute over contract negotiations earlier this year.