Tech3 Moto2 rider Bradley Smith has done a three-year deal with his existing team which will see him move up to MotoGP in 2013. The youngster will spend next year trying to nail the Moto2 title before making the switch to the blue riband class.

Smith put pen to paper at Motorland Aragon last night and the deal will see him contracted to two full years with Herve Poncharal's team in MotoGP after the Oxfordshire coppertop passed up the opportunity to move up for the 2012 season.

"I am thrilled to have signed a three-year deal with the Tech3 Racing Team and I am looking forward to continuing the excellent relationship we've developed in 2011. I have a fantastic relationship with Herve, my crew chief Tom Jojic and all my crew, who all have an amazing passion for racing. It is that dedication and desire to succeed that convinced me to join Tech 3 in 2011, so to be staying until the end of 2014 is the perfect scenario for me," said Smith.

"There was never any doubt in my mind that Tech3 would be the best option to develop my career. It has been flattering to have attracted interest from so many top teams in Moto2, but the opportunity to move to MotoGP in 2013 was simply too good for me to turn down. To think I'll be riding a Yamaha 1000cc MotoGP bike just over a year from now is hard to believe.

"I've worked so hard for many years to earn the chance to be given an opportunity like this, and now it has come I intend to grab it with both hands. Tech 3 gave me the chance to move to MotoGP in 2012 and it was an honour to be even considered at this stage of my career. The decision to stay in Moto2 was one of the hardest of my life but I believe that together, we can be fighting at the front from the start of next season and pushing to challenge for the Championship.”