Monster Yamaha have this morning confirmed that Pol Espargaro will not ride for them in 2017 but no replacement has been revealed for the satellite MotoGP team.
It is widely thought that Espargaro will join current team-mate Bradley Smith at KTM for the next two years and that Moto2 star Alex Rins will take his place in Herve Poncharal’s squad if he doesn’t find a spot at Suzuki.
Espargaro remains under Yamaha contract until the end of the season and will still ride for the firm at this year’s Suzuka Eight-Hours while Smith escapes that by virtue of being a Tech3 employee.
“Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. look back with great appreciation on Espargaro's contributions to its racing successes over the past two and a half years and wish Espargaro the very best in furthering his racing career. Yamaha and the Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team will continue to put their full efforts into finishing the 2016 season with Espargaro in the best possible manner and hope to share many more memorable moments during the upcoming twelve MotoGP™ rounds of the 2016 World Championship,” said a statement.
