Source: Supplied.

Avintia Ducati has confirmed it’s signing of Tito Rabat for the 2018 MotoGP World Championship today at the 13th round of the 2017 series in Misano.

Rabat, who’s currently a member of Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda, said he’s satisfied to join the squad where he’ll pilot the Desmosedici GP17 machine in the new season.

“I’m very happy to sign with Reale Avintia Racing and to race with Ducati in 2018,” said Rabat. “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.”

Rabat’s exit from the Honda-supported Marc VDS squad comes as the team promotes Franco Morbidelli from its Moto2 squad to the premier class in 2018, as well signing fellow Moto2 talent Thomas Lüthi to step up to MotoGP.