Marc VDS signs Moto2 champion Rabat for 2016

The Belgian squad, which took Rabat to last year's Moto2 title, entered MotoGP at the start of the year with Scott Redding as its sole rider aboard a satellite Honda RC213V.

But with the Brit having opted to switch to Pramac Ducati for 2016, 26-year-old Rabat - currently second in the Moto2 standings after staying in the intermediate class to defend his title - was always the prime candidate to replace Redding.

“The objective of my life was to, first of all, arrive to MotoGP and then to make results in the premier class," said Rabat.

"I know stepping up to MotoGP on the factory Honda RC213V isn’t going to be easy, but I have all the winter to prepare, to make sure I’m strong and ready for pre-season testing.

"It’s going to be a steep learning curve, but the goal will be to improve step by step so that we’re ready for the first race in Qatar.”

Rabat had a taste of the Marc VDS Honda during Monday's Michelin tyre test at Aragon, which the Spaniard described as an "incredible experience."

“The first time you ride this bike you just aren’t prepared for it," he added. "There is so much speed, such hard acceleration and the corners arrive far too early!

"Once I’d adapted to the speed, the power and the carbon brakes I was able to understand a little more how the bike works and go a little faster."

Rabat's Moto2 seat is expected to go to Franco Morbidelli, who will join Alex Marquez, the younger brother of MotoGP champion Marc.

Miller set for second seat

Although it has yet to be announced, joining Rabat on a second Marc VDS bike in the premier class is likely to be Jack Miller, who has had a tough debut MotoGP season on board an LCR-run Open-class Honda after stepping up directly from Moto3.

Honda is believed to be footing the bill for team's expansion, with Miller entering the second year of a three-year contract with the Japanese factory.

Earlier in the year, Miller had seemed poised for a move to Aspar Honda, but the Spanish team is looking increasingly likely to make a switch to Ducati machinery for 2016, having already confirmed Yonny Hernandez as its first rider for next season.

2016 MotoGP line-up so far

Riders in italics have yet to be confirmed

Movistar Yamaha	Valentino Rossi  Jorge Lorenzo
Repsol Honda	Marc Marquez  Dani Pedrosa
Ducati	Andrea Dovizioso  Andrea Iannone
Suzuki	Aleix Espargaro  Maverick Vinales
Aprilia	Alvaro Bautista  Stefan Bradl
Tech 3 Yamaha	Pol Espargaro  Bradley Smith
LCR Honda	Cal Crutchlow
Marc VDS Honda	Esteve Rabat  Jack Miller
Pramac Ducati	Danilo Petrucci  Scott Redding
Avintia Ducati	Hector Barbera  Loris Baz
Aspar Ducati	Yonny Hernandez  Eugene Laverty