Yamaha equipment set to help MotoGP rookies Zarco and Folger
Moto2 rivals Johann Zarco and Jonas Folger believe that stepping up to MotoGP on Yamaha machinery next year will help in their rookie campaigns
Zarco and Folger, who fought for the victory at the Sachsenring in Moto2 last month, will both join the Tech3 satellite outfit, replacing the KTM-bound Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro.
Four rookies will move into the premier class from Moto2 in 2017, with Alex Rins signed by Suzuki and Sam Lowes stepping up with Aprilia.
Championship leader Zarco - the last of the quartet to secure a 2017 MotoGP ride - believes Tech3's Yamaha will provide a good early platform.
"MotoGP is a new category but I think with a Yamaha bike it's a good opportunity to start," he said.
"The objective is to get a lot of information and also get the confidence of the Japanese and I think it's a good place to have a good bike.
"We will learn and fight for this small rookies championship."
Espargaro was sixth in his rookie campaign with Tech3 in 2014, with Smith 10th one year earlier.
Folger is sixth in the Moto2 points, but returned to form in his home grand prix to record his third podium of 2016, after switching back to a previous-specification front fork.
"I think with Yamaha and Tech3 we have a really good material and team behind us, especially for our rookie years," the German said.
"We are going to get good information from the factory team and we can learn really quickly and we have a great team behind us.
"With Johann also, I think I have a great team-mate for next year."
MOTOGP'S 2017 ROOKIES
JOHANN ZARCO - TECH3 YAMAHA
French, 26
Leads Moto2 with four wins
Won Moto2 title in 2015
12 career Moto2 wins
ALEX RINS - SUZUKI
Spanish, 20
Second in Moto2 with two wins, 25 points behind Zarco
Second in Moto2 in 2015
Four career Moto2 wins
SAM LOWES - APRILIA
British, 25
Third in Moto2 with one win, 30 points behind Zarco
Fourth in Moto2 in 2015
Two career Moto2 wins
JONAS FOLGER - TECH3 YAMAHA
German, 22
Sixth in Moto2, 68 points behind Zarco
Sixth in Moto2 in 2015
Two career Moto2 wins
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