Zarco joins Avintia Ducati to complete the Moto Grand Prix grid
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Johann Zarco
French rider JohannZarcojoined the RealeAvintiaDucatiteam on Monday tocompletetheMotoGPstartinggridfor 2020.
The 29-year-old replaces Czech rider Karel Abraham, who announced in November that he would be leaving, alongside Spaniard Tito Rabat.
"I am very pleased to officially announce my signature withDucatifor 2020 season,"Zarcosaid on Instagram. "My left ankle is recovering well, I can enjoy now my wintertime having rest with family and training again very soon."
Zarco, a double Moto2 champion andMotoGProokie of the year in 2017, ended the 2019 season as a stand-in for LCR Honda's Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami, who was recovering from shoulder surgery.
The Frenchman had parted company with KTM in September and injured his ankle in the Valencia season-ender.