---
title: "Abraham completes Aspar line-up for 2018"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/08/21/abraham-completes-aspar-line-2018/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-08-21T10:55:58Z"
modified: "2017-08-21T10:56:22Z"
---

# Abraham completes Aspar line-up for 2018

Czech rider Karel Abraham will remain with the Aspar MotoGP team for the 2018 season alongside Alvaro Bautista, the Spanish outfit has confirmed.

Abraham returned to the MotoGP World Championship this season with Aspar following a disappointing year in World Superbikes with the Milwaukee BMW team.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/08/831079910.jpg)

Having made his premier class debut in 2011 on a Ducati, Abraham quickly reacclimatised to grand prix racing on the GP15, scoring points in the opening two races, as well as a front row start in Argentina.

The Czech rider continued to be a consistent points finisher in the following races and currently lies 17th in the standings on 25 points.

“I am very happy to have re-signed with the Aspar Team and to continue with the same group of people is very important to me,” said Abraham.

“I am very happy, I am already looking forward to a new challenge next season but right now I need to concentrate on the rest of this season, which is the most important.

“As I said, I am very happy, but we have to focus on the here and now.”

Aspar boss Jorge Martinez felt retaining the Czech rider was a ‘simple choice’ having had his expectations of Abraham exceeded after the first 11 races of the season.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/08/826688420.jpg)

“For the Aspar Team it is a source of satisfaction to renew with Karel Abraham,” he said.

“When we signed him last year we felt he could do a good job but the results he has achieved have been a very positive surprise.

“He has done much better than we expected, right from the pre-season, and as the races have gone by he has continued to improve and achieve great results.

“We think we can continue to improve with him in the future. It is a simple choice; he is happy with the team and we are happy with him, so we are going to continue in the same way and chase even bigger goals.”

Abraham’s re-signing by Aspar leaves just three bikes up for grabs for next season, with both Avintia Ducatis and the second Marc VDS Honda still currently vacant.

Ousted Aprilia man Sam Lowes and Honda WorldSBK rider Stefan Bradl are in the frame at Marc VDS, while Mika Kallio, Xavier Simeon, Tito Rabat, Loris Baz and Hector Barbera have been linked with Avintia.

It is thought 2014 Moto2 champion Rabat has all but secured on of the Avintia bikes, while Barbera has been tipped for a WorldSBK switch for 2018.