Moto2 rider Tom Luthi has branded his signing to the Marc VDS MotoGP team for the 2018 season as a ‘dream come true.’
The Swiss rider made his grand prix debut in the 125cc class in 2002, and won the lightweight class title in 2005 before stepping up to the 250cc World Championship in 2007.
Luthi has remained in the intermediate category of grand prix racing since, tallying up nine wins in his time and finishing runner-up to Johann Zarco in the 2016 Moto2 season.
Confirmed on the eve of the British Grand Prix, Luthi will partner current Moto2 title rival Franco Morbidelli – who he trails by 26 points in the standings – at the Belgian outfit.
While thrilled at the opportunity given to him by Marc VDS, Luthi remains focused on the task at hand in the Moto2 class as he chases his second grand prix world title.
“It’s a dream come true,” the 30-year-old said.
“It’s really amazing for me, big news. I want to say thank you to the Marc VDS team to get this chance, the last days were crazy, quite wild.
“Now everything is clear, it’s fixed, so the future is clear and now I think it’s most important to get it out of the head again.
“I have a big mission in the Moto2 class still, there are seven races to go and we want to try to fight for the title and keep it going.”
While his experience of MotoGP machinery is limited to just a test on a Honda in 2005 and a KTM last year, HRC rider Dani Pedrosa believes the challenges that lie ahead for Luthi will only act to motivate him further.
“In these days it’s always difficult to join the MotoGP class,” the Spaniard said.
“But, today, the satellite teams are doing a great a great job to be able to open more (opportunities) and to have more riders, more bikes on the grid.
“For him, of course, it’s a long time in Moto2. He was testing last year already in MotoGP and as a rider I remember he was strong, because at that time I was experienced in the 125s and he was new in the class.
“So for next year it will be similar. It’s not and easy class and the bike is difficult, but for sure he is motivated for that.”
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