
The shock move has yet to be announced by either maker, but was recently confirmed by the Tech 3 team.
"I am delighted to have secured a rider of James' calibre and am looking forward to working with him," says Team Principal Herve Poncharal. "Procuring James is a major coup for Tech 3 Yamaha and for the MotoGP championship in extending our reach into Northern Europe. It is an exciting time for us all and I am certain that he will be an integral part of the team's future."