Tito Rabat to replace Scott Redding in Marc VDS MotoGP team in 2016
Reigning Moto2 champion Tito Rabat will replace Scott Redding at the Marc VDS Honda team in MotoGP next season
The Spaniard has spent five years in Moto2, is currently second in the 2015 standings with Marc VDS, and will graduate to the premier class aboard the team's factory Honda in 2016.
Redding will move to Pramac Ducati, replacing Yonny Hernandez, who on Wednesday announced that he is joining the Aspar team.
"The objective of my life was to, first of all, arrive to MotoGP and then to make results in the premier class," Rabat said.
"I know stepping up to MotoGP on the factory Honda RC213V isn't going to be easy, but I have all the winter to prepare, to make sure I'm strong and ready for preseason testing.
"It's going to be a steep learning curve, but the goal will be to improve step by step so that we're ready for the first race in Qatar."
Rabat tested Marc VDS' MotoGP Honda at Aragon earlier this week, completing 60 laps.
"The test at Aragon aboard the factory Honda RC213V was an incredible experience," he said.
"The first time you ride this bike you just aren't prepared for it.
"There is so much speed, so hard acceleration and the corners arrive far too early! To be honest, it was the best experience you can have on a bike.
"Once I'd adapted to the speed, the power and the carbon brakes I was able to understand a little more how the bike works and go a little faster.
"I would like to have ridden for longer but, unfortunately, they wanted to close the track!"
CONFIRMED 2016 MOTOGP LINE-UP SO FAR
Yamaha: Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo
Honda: Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa
Ducati: Andrea Iannone, Andrea Dovizioso
Suzuki: Aleix Espargaro, Maverick Vinales
Gresini Aprilia: Alvaro Bautista, Stefan Bradl
Tech 3 Yamaha: Bradley Smith, Pol Espargaro
LCR Honda: Cal Crutchlow
Marc VDS Honda: Tito Rabat
Aspar (bike tba): Yonny Hernandez
Pramac Ducati: Danilo Petrucci, Scott Redding
Avintia Ducati: Loris Baz, Hector Barbera
Plans still tba: Forward, Ioda, AB
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