Source: Supplied.

Team Suzuki Ecstar has confirmed Moto2 rookie Joan Mir will graduate to the MotoGP class with the outfit in 2019, while it’s also been revealed that outgoing rider Andrea Iannone will join Aprilia Racing.

Mir has signed a two-year agreement that will allow him to debut in the premier category after only one year in the intermediate class, lining up alongside the already confirmed Alex Rins.

“Joan Mir is only 20 years old now, already a world champion with an impressive 10 wins last year and he has already proven several skills,” explained Team Suzuki Ecstar manager Davide Brivio. “He is fierce, he is witty, he is nice and he can be very fast.

“All the characteristics that we like to search for in a young rider, who wants to join us not only for the prestige of a factory machine in the top class but most of all because he believes in our racing project. Talking to him I realised how much he has a clear mind, how much he liked our Suzuki project and wanted to join us. This has been a great boost for us.”

Iannone, who has earned two podiums in the first six rounds of the season, will make the transition to Aprilia machinery alongside Aleix Espargaro in a two-year deal that will see him through to the completion of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship following two campaigns with the Japanese manufacturer.

“The combination of Iannone and Aprilia will be fantastic – one of the most interesting in MotoGP – and it has the potential to bring great results,” said Fausto Gresini, Aprilia Racing team manager. “Andrea is a strong, fast and concrete rider. I think that he will be able to provide great support for the team and contribute to the development of the bike.”

The current MotoGP World Championship returns to action this weekend in Catalunya, Spain, for the seventh stop of the series.