Reale Avintia want "at least one rookie" for 2020 says Xaus

Reale Avintia Racing’s Sporting Director Ruben Xaus revealed they are talking to Moto2™ stars Lorenzo Baldassarri and Alex Marquez

Reale Avintia Racing’s Sporting Director Ruben Xaus has confirmed the Ducati outfit are in discussions with the men currently sat first and second in the Moto2™ World Championship, Lorenzo Baldassarri (FlexBox HP40) and Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), about stepping up to the premier class with them in 2020.

The Reale Avinita Racing team are the only on the MotoGP™ grid that have “options in terms of machinery and riders” for the 2020 season, in the words of Xaus, making the next weeks and months very interesting with some huge decisions needed to be made.

The two rookies Xaus pinpointed were Marquez, who has also been linked with a move to Pramac Racing and won the last two intermediate class races, plus Baldassarri, who currently leads the World Championship with three victories to his name.

Xaus, whilst in discussion with MotoGP™ pitlane reporter Simon Crafar during FP3 at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, also confirmed the Barcelona based squad see Ducati as their “first option” but that they do have other options available to them, including both Suzuki and Aprilia.

“We are the only team now with options in terms of machinery and riders," said Xaus on his plans for the 2020 MotoGP™ season. "Maybe we can keep going with Ducati, we’re comfortable with them and for the first time ever, the machinery they provide us is equal to any of the other teams. Step by step, it’s giving us the results.

“Then the other options are the manufacturers wanting four bikes on the track, which are of course Suzuki and Aprilia. So far, the first option, Ducati, is one we’re keeping in mind but everything is open.

“In terms of riders, in Mugello we stepped up. Tito is coming after a big injury and Karel, we’re trying to push him as much as possible. And in Mugello his qualifying was good. We thought he could do better in the race, but physically it was a little bit difficult. Yesterday he did a good performance, but we need to keep going.

However, despite Xaus praising the recent improvements from Tito Rabat and Karel Abraham, he did reveal they want to sign at least one premier class rookie for next year.

“Our wish is to put on board at least one rookie from Moto2. We already spoke with Baldassarri. We’re talking to Alex Marquez’s people and also other options are welcome. Now we need to secure one young rider, in order to step up to the top eight at all the tracks.”

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