Moto2: New Marc VDS deal ends Alex Marquez’s MotoGP hopes

Alex Marquez has confirmed that he will remain with the Marc VDS team in Moto2 for the 2019 season, ending speculation that the world champion’s brother was aiming for a seat in the premier class for next season.

Linked to the possibility of the Marc VDS squad running a single MotoGP Honda for him next year at the urging of title sponsor Estrella Galicia, the former Moto3 world champion was also linked with a potential move to the Avintia Ducati team.

However, he confirmed this week that he will be remaining in the middleweight class, instead spearheading Kalex’s efforts with the new Triumph-powered machine.

“I’m very happy to be able to announce my renewal with Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS. I would like to thank the team for their confidence in me for a project that has us all very excited, ahead of a year in which there will be many regulation changes and novelties. 

“This will help me to continue growing as a rider and prepare me for one of my objectives, which is to move up to MotoGP. I have great motivation to continue being part of this project, and we will give our all to win the Moto2 World Championship.”

The news also all but confirms that the Marc VDS team will withdraw from the premier class for next season after a year of political infighting and the departure of former team boss Michael Bartholemy. That will leave next year’s grid at only 22 machines.