Defending Moto2 champion Johann Zarco will step up to MotoGP in 2017 with Yamaha satellite team Tech3.
Zarco, 25, took eight wins in 2015 en route to his maiden world championship, and leads the Moto2 standings eight rounds into the 2016 season.
The Frenchman will make the move up to the premier class of motorcycle racing in 2017 with Tech3, which will field an all-new line-up after confirming Jonas Folger earlier this year.
“It goes without saying that I am very happy to join the MotoGP class with Tech3 and I am confident that we can form a solid partnership,” Zarco said.
“The team has a deep relationship and long history with Yamaha and they have proved that they can manage well in every situation and have had a good package year after year.
“This pleases me and it gives me extra motivation for reaching my targets in the 2017 season. Of course, it seems like a logical step for a French team and a French champion to work together, and now finally the deal is done which is certainly positive news.
“I really will do my best and prepare myself for the maximum because I think it’s more than possible to get some top results in MotoGP after my long experience in the intermediate class.”