Moto2: Alex Marquez to Marc VDS

Alex Marquez will step up to the Moto2 World Championship next season, with Marc VDS.

Younger brother of MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, Alex will ride alongside fellow Spaniard and current Moto2 title leader Tito Rabat.

18-year-old Marquez has claimed two wins and three second places for the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Honda team this season and currently lies second in the standings, 13 points behind Jack Miller with six races remaining.

Marquez will now take over the Marc VDS seat originally earmarked for Miller, who is linked to a Honda MotoGP ride.

"I am so proud and excited to announce I am joining Marc VDS Racing Team in Moto2 for the next two years," said Marquez. "It is very important for me because I am changing class with a fantastic team and a strong teammate. I have been working hard to be here and I want to thank the Marc VDS Racing Team for their trust in me. But now it's time to focus on Moto3, we are in the most important moment of the season and our mission is to fight for the championship."

Team principal Michael Bartholemy added: "It has always been our goal to bring young riders into Moto2, and ?lex M?rquez is the perfect fit for us. He has shown he has both the talent and the drive to succeed with some impressive performances over the past two years, which are the attributes we want as we look towards the future.

"Having Tito Rabat alongside him and an experienced team behind him will help with ?lex's transition from Moto3 to Moto2 next year. I am confident that in 2016 he will be ready to step up and spearhead our World Championship campaign."

Mika Kallio currently rides alongside Rabat. The Finn, currently second in the world championship, is yet to announce his 2015 plans.

Alex Marquez's current Moto3 team-mate, Alex Rins, is also expected to join Moto2 next season. Rins is hotly tipped to join the Pons team, which needs a replacement for Maverick Vinales, who is set to move to MotoGP with Suzuki.

Marc VDS are currently trying to secure an RC213V for Scott Redding in MotoGP next year. That will in turn have an influence on whether the team continues to run its single rider Moto3 team.

15-year-old Spanish Championship star Fabio Quartararo is poised to take one of the Estrella Moto3 seats next year.