---
title: "Rabat set for Avintia switch in 2018"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/09/07/rabat-set-for-avintia-switch-in-2018/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-09-07T12:14:21Z"
modified: "2017-09-07T12:14:43Z"
---

# Rabat set for Avintia switch in 2018

The Avintia Racing team has confirmed Tito Rabat will form one half of its rider line–up for the 2018 MotoGP World Championship.

The 2014 Moto2 world champion stepped up to the premier class with hit title–winning Marc VDS squad last season, though found adapting to the aggressive RC213V tough, and scored just 29 points in 21st in the standings.

![Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/09/838797318.jpg)

An improved package for 2017 has seen Rabat enjoy slightly better results – the Spaniard is currently 18th in the championship on 23 points – though none good enough to keep him in the Marc VDS fold for next year.

Linked with Avintia, with whom he made his grand prix debut back in 2005, for some time, the deal to ride one of the Spanish team’s GP17s was done during the British Grand Prix weekend.

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

“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”.

Team CEO Raul Romero added: “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”.

While several riders have been linked with the second Avintia seat, it is thought one–time Moto2 race winner Xavier Simeon will partner Rabat next season.

At Marc VDS, current Moto2 standings leader Franco Morbidelli will make the step up with the team alongside championship rival Tom Luthi.