Stefan Bradl to Leave MotoGP for WSBK
Stefan Bradl to Leave MotoGP for WSBK
By: Jamie Klein
Co-author: Oriol Puigdemont
Stefan Bradl is poised to leave MotoGP and join Honda's World Superbike effort in 2017 after failing to reach an agreement to join the Avintia Ducati team.
The Spanish team had been courting Bradl to join Hector Barbera on one of its satellite Ducati machines after the German rider was informed by Aprilia that his services will not be required next season.
A source from within Avintia however has confirmed to sister site Motorsport.com that negotiations with the 2011 Moto2 champion have failed to produce an agreement, meaning that the 26-year-old will now exit the premier class after five seasons.
Instead, he is set to join Nicky Hayden at the Honda Ten Kate squad in World Superbikes, a move that will mean Michael van der Mark leaves the team after two seasons.
The Dutchman is believed to be a prime target for Ducati's WSBK team, where he could replace Davide Giugliano, although he has also been linked to the Crescent-run Yamaha outfit.
Meanwhile, Loris Baz is now expected to be confirmed for a second season at Avintia alongside Barbera as a result of the team's failure to agree terms with Bradl. That leaves Aspar as the only team still to determine its 2017 line-up. Talks with Alvaro Bautista are ongoing, while Yonny Hernandez and Eugene Laverty both also remain in the frame.
