Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has signed Johann Zarco for the 2018 MotoGP World Championship, the move officially announced on Thursday from Jerez.

Zarco, 27, will ride alongside Pol Espargaro for the 2019 and 2020 seasons on-board the official RC16 following two year with Tech3 Yamaha in the premier class.

“There has always been a good contact with Johann and since the Red Bull Rookies Cup,” commented KTM motorsports director Pit Beirer. “We supported the Moto2 project through WP and our Moto3 team manager Aki Ajo is a good friend of him.

“We also have a nice connection with his manager Laurent Fellon – it was a group effort to get this done. We had to trust in our capability to build a winning bike and Johann would not come over if he did not see and feel that trust. We feel very responsible now to get that package strong enough so that he can continue on the level where he is.

“It is clear that we want to take another step in MotoGP. The first two years were about building up the project and to get everything running. You always want to get the best possible riders on-board.

“It’s obvious with Johann beating the factory guys on satellite machinery and consistently qualifying on the front row means he is a strong fighter with a strong sprit. I’m convinced we can reach the next level with a rider like Johann with us.”

Zarco was the inaugural Red Bull Rookies Cup champion in 2007 and has since established himself in grand prix racing as the most successful French rider in history, with two Moto2 crowns to his credit. He was the leading MotoGP rookie in 2017.