Paris (AFP)

The Portuguese Miguel Oliveira will replace the Spaniard Pol Espargaro at KTM, alongside the South African Brad Binder, during the 2021 MotoGP season, the Italian Danilo Petrucci taking his place in the Tech3 satellite team, announced the builder Thursday.

This announcement comes after several weeks of rumors sending Espargaro to Honda alongside his compatriot Marc Marquez.

Petrucci, from Ducati, will be supported at Tech3 by the current Spanish driver Iker Lecuona, 20 years old.

Oliveira, 25, will be promoted to her third season in MotoGP after spending the first two on the KTM satellite team. Binder, 24, is set to debut him in the queen category this year.

Both are products of the KTM-Red Bull rider industry and were team members in Moto3 in 2015 then in Moto2 in 2017 and 2018.

Petrucci, 29, joined MotoGP in 2012 and has nine podiums and one victory in Italy last year. His place at Ducati had already been awarded to Australian Jack Miller, 25.

Delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, the MotoGP season is set to begin with two Grands Prix in Jerez, Spain, on July 19 and 26. Despite this, the starting grid for 2021 is taking shape a little more each day.

The starting grid for the 2021 MotoGP World Championship is taking shape:

. Factory stables:

Honda: Marc Marquez (ESP) is engaged until 2024. The rumor announces the arrival of Pol Espargaro (ESP), coming from KTM, to replace Alex Marquez (ESP).

Yamaha: Maverick Vinales (ESP) and Fabio Quartararo (FRA) are engaged until 2022.

Ducati: Jack Miller (AUS) is hired in 2021, with an option for 2022. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) could extend his contract.

Suzuki: Alex Rins (ESP) and Joan Mir (ESP) are engaged until 2022.

Aprilia: Aleix Espargaro (ESP) is hired until 2022. Andrea Iannone (ITA) is suspended until June 16, 2021 following a positive test for a doping product. However, he appealed.

KTM: Brad Binder (RSA) and Miguel Oliveira (POR) have been announced for 2021.

. Satellite stables

KTM-Tech3: Danilo Petrucci (ITA) and Iker Lecuona (ESP) have been announced for 2021.

Ducati-Avintia: Tito Rabat (ESP) is under contract in 2021. Johann Zarco (FRA) is free at the end of the season.

Yamaha-SRT: the signing of Valentino Rossi (ITA) and the extension of Franco Morbidelli (ITA) are expected.

Honda-LCR: We are still awaiting information about the future of Cal Crutchlow (GBR) and Takaaki Nakagami (JPN).

Ducati-Pramac: We must replace Jack Miller (AUS), promoted. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA) is expected to stay.

© 2020 AFP