Syahrin replaced in Moto2 as Tech 3 MotoGP move looms

Syahrin is poised to step up to the premier class of motorcycle grand prix racing in place of Jonas Folger, the German unable to retain his place in the Tech 3 line-up alongside Johann Zarco due to health issues.

A Moto2 regular since 2014, Syahrin had signed with intermediate-class newcomer SIC Racing Team – owned by Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit – for the upcoming season.

However, the team has now announced it's instead recruited another Malaysian rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin on “short notice” .

Khairuddin moves up to Moto2 with six campaigns across 125cc and Moto3 under his belt, having finished a career-high seventh overall in the latter in 2012.

He's spent the past two seasons in the Supersport World Championship.

Free from his Moto2 commitments, 23-year-old Syahrin – who has three Moto2 podiums to his name - is now widely expected to join up with Zarco at Tech 3 as the French outfit's frantic rider search comes to an end.

Team boss Herve Poncharal had previously stated he was not keen on considering riders under contract for the seat, and conceded at Sepang that he was “struggling to find something that is exciting” in terms of potential replacements for Folger.

Tech 3 ran Yonny Hernandez in place of Folger during the Sepang pre-season test, but a move for the Colombian would've been made complicated by his existing Pedercini Kawasaki deal in World Superbikes.