Forward Yamaha have this morning announced that Loris Baz will partner Stefan Bradl in their MotoGP team next season after signing a deal to ride with the Italy-based team.

The young Frenchman had done a deal with Aspar to ride one of the new production RC214VR-S bikes but was subsequently deemed too tall at 6ft 5in and replaced by Monegasque Eugene Laverty.

“It’'s a pleasure to welcome Loris Baz in our team. He is a young rider who has proved to be fast in World Superbikes and we would like to give him the possibility to show his talent also in MotoGP,” said team boss Giovanni Cuzari.

“I’'m very happy to start this new adventure with Loris and bring this new rider in the premiere class, continuing our mission of talent scout team alongside of Yamaha. Loris will partner Stefan Bradl and we are delighted to line up a very young team with a 21-year-old Frenchman and a 24-year-old experienced German rider.”