Moto2: Garzo signs two-year deal as Fernandez replacement at Pons
Hector Garzo has signed a two-year contract at Flexbox HP40 Pons having initially replaced the Marc VDS-bound Augusto Fernandez at the recent winter test at Valencia.
Following Jorge Lorenzo’s shock retirement and his place at Repsol Honda duly filled by reigning Moto2 world champion Alex Marquez, the intermediate class shake-up has been completed with Fernandez taking up the vacated spot at Marc VDS and Garzo duly slotting in his place at Pons.
Garzo initially secured a deal as test stand-in with the Spanish squad and after impressing at this week’s two-day Valencia test the 21-year-old has been handed a two-year contract for 2020 and 2021.
Garzo has made a handful of Moto2 outings with Tech3 in 2017 and 2018, while he caught the eye in MotoE this season by ending the inaugural all-electric campaign in fourth place with the highlight of three podium finishes across the six-race season.
“I am very grateful to the entire FlexBox HP 40 team, especially to Sito, for the opportunity it offers for the next season,” Garzo said. “It is a dream come true to dispute my first season in the World Championship and also doing it in a great team like this.
“I’m going to give my best, always 100% in all races and I hope that everything goes well. I want to thank both the team’s sponsors and my personal ones for the confidence deposited in me and now I hope to return it with good results.”
Team boss Sito Pons says his instant speed at the Valencia test and reputation made it clear to him to sign the Spaniard and is naturally delighted to finalise his rider line-up after the 11th-hour split with Fernandez.
“I’m glad to announce the agreement with Hector Garzo for the next two seasons,” Pons said. “I must say that the test he made with the team in Valencia was impressed for all the team members.
“His adaptation to the bike was very fast and also his speed, finishing the test being one of the fastest riders. I am sure of the potential that Hector has, I know him years ago when he competed in the European Championship, and this test has confirmed that he has a bright future.
“I am glad to have it in our project and I’m sure we’re going to help him grow up to be one of the best riders in the Moto2 category as we have done before with so many other rider.”
