Moto2: Fernandez takes Marquez’s spot at Marc VDS

Following the late promotion of reigning Moto2 world champion Alex Marquez to Repsol Honda, Augusto Fernandez has been signed up as his replacement at Marc VDS for 2020.

With a highly-prized Moto2 ride becoming available at Marc VDS following Marquez’s move to replace the retiring Jorge Lorenzo at Repsol Honda in MotoGP, Fernandez has duly split from Pons to join the Belgian-Hispanic team alongside Sam Lowes for 2020.

The Spanish rider made his Moto2 debut midway through 2017 at Speed Up before a briefly stepping out of the Grand Prix paddock until he was signed at Pons to replace Hector Barbera halfway through the 2018 campaign.

After being retained by the Pons squad for 2019, the 22-year-old impressed in his first full season taking three wins, two additional podiums plus one pole position on his way to fifth place in the final Moto2 riders’ standings.

“I'm really happy for the opportunity that Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS has given me to become part of their big family,” Fernandez said. “It is a dream come true to continue growing in a great team like this. My objective is to give the maximum and to work very hard to fight for victories and have the opportunity to fight for the world championship.

“I want to thank Marc van der Straten, the team and the sponsors who have shown great faith in me. I promise to do everything in my power not to disappoint them and to repay their confidence with good results.”

With Fernandez signing for Marc VDS it effectively gives Johann Zarco the sole option of Avintia Ducati for a 2020 race seat, after Karel Abraham was axed by the team this weekend. The MotoGP squad is yet to make an official announcement about ditching Abraham or signing Zarco for 2020 with the final MotoGP winter test in 2019 getting underway tomorrow at Jerez.

Hector Garzo will fill in at Pons for Fernandez at the upcoming Moto2 tests as he looks to convince the Spanish team to sign him for 2020.