Luthi closing on MotoGP move with Marc VDS in 2018

The 30-year-old Swiss rider is set to be given the nod to join fellow Moto2 rider Franco Morbidelli at the Belgian squad, beating other contenders such as Sam Lowes and Stefan Bradl to the seat.

Luthi has competed in grand prix racing since 2002, winning the 125cc class in 2005 and racing in the 250cc/Moto2 division from 2007 onwards.

A 10-time winner in the intermediate class, Luthi finished runner-up behind Johann Zarco last year, and also sits seconds in this year's standings, 26 points behind Morbidelli.

Luthi and Morbidelli will replace current Marc VDS duo Jack Miller and Tito Rabat.

Miller will join Pramac Ducati next year, replacing Aprilia-bound Scott Redding, while Rabat is set to fill one of Avintia Ducati's two available seats.

Another Moto2 rider, Xavier Simeon, has been strongly linked with filling Avintia's second seat, although KTM test rider Mika Kallio and former Aspar man Yonny Hernandez were also known to be in negotiations with the Spanish outfit.

2018 MotoGP rider line-up so far: