Simeon moves to MotoE in 2019

Xavier Simeon has been confirmed as leaving MotoGP after one season, but will remain with the Avintia Team in 2019 by competing in the new electric MotoE World Cup.

“Without a doubt, this will be an important step in my racing career," said Simeon. "I love the idea of being part of the first world championship with a completely new generation of competition bikes. It will be a completely different, but at the same time a very exciting experience.

Simeon moves to MotoE in 2019

Xavier Simeon has been confirmed as leaving MotoGP after one season, but will remain with the Avintia Team in 2019 by competing in the new electric MotoE World Cup.

“Without a doubt, this will be an important step in my racing career," said Simeon. "I love the idea of being part of the first world championship with a completely new generation of competition bikes. It will be a completely different, but at the same time a very exciting experience.

"I have been thinking about this change for months, because I am at a stage of my sporting career where it is very important to take the right decisions for the future. I experienced a year in MotoGP, which hasn’t been easy at all, and now I’m very happy to be part of a new adventure in this championship and with my team.

"I can’t wait to go testing and see what we can achieve, because even though the bikes will be completely different, the level of the riders will be as high as in the other categories. But now, there are still four races to go in the current championship. From here until Valencia, I am determined to keep fighting and working hard with the aim of scoring some points in MotoGP.”

Karel Abraham has already been confirmed as joining Avintia in MotoGP next season, with the injured Tito Rabat set to stay on the team's other Desmosedici.

Meanwhile, Eric Granado will be Simeon's MotoE team-mate. The Brazilian began the season with Forward Racing in Moto2, but is currently racing in Brazil with Honda.

“I want to say big thanks to Raúl and Bocha and the whole team for giving me this great opportunity, I’m looking forward to start and test the bike for the first time in Jerez," Granado said. "The MotoE World Cup is something new for everybody. It will be a question mark how the bike will work and how we will have to adapt our riding style to be competitive.

"But I’m sure that with the support from the team we will be competitive from the first race. MotoE will be a milestone in road racing motorcycling and I’m pleased to be part of this new adventure. I’m ready and I’ll train hard to get to the maximum level for the first test in Jerez. I want to thank my family and all the people supporting me from Brazil. Now, full throttle!!”

The first official MotoE tests will take place at Jerez at the end of November.

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