MotoGP: Rabat confirmed at Avintia Ducati

Tito Rabat has finally confirmed that he will join the Avintia Ducati squad for 2017, ending speculation first reported before MotoGP’s summer break in July. The former Moto2 world champion returns to a team he knows well with the deal and says he’s looking forward to trying out the Italian machine.

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

And team boss Raul Romero was even more excited when the news was announced, admitting that he can’t wait to have Rabat return to the fold.

“Tito is like a son for me. He rode his first race for me in the Spanish Championship and he made his debut in the World Championship with my team. During his career, he raced in several teams, but always comes back home. After 125cc und Moto2, this is the third time Tito returns to our team and this time is in the MotoGP class.

“I’m convinced that this will be the pinnacle in his career and that we’ll achieve great results together with Ducati. Tito is a hard worker and this was his secret to become Moto2 World Champion. Next season he will ride a Desmosedici GP17, a bike that is on top of the classification with Dovizioso and that has been extremely competitive this year.”