Former factory Yamaha MX2 ace Benoit Paturel has secured a full-time MXGP ride for 2018 with the Marchetti KTM team. Paturel initially signed for BOS KTM alongside Jordi Tixier, but split with the team within a few weeks.

It was believed he didn’t get on with the handling of the KTM. He then signed to ride a privateer Honda in French championships, but now seems to be OK with the steel-framed KTM as he’s inked the deal with Marchetti.

Paturel said: “I just signed a contract with the KTM Marchetti team for the rest of the world championship, and I’m really happy. First of all, a big thank you for all the people who have been with me in this difficult time. I will never forget what they did for me. Thanks to them I was able to train, rediscover the joy and to fight to achieve my goal.

“It’s been a long fight, but I’m gonna get out a lot harder and get a good life lesson from all this.”

He’ll make his KTM debut for the Italian based team on Easter Monday, in an International race in France at Thomer la Sogne. His GP debut will be at Trentino in Italy on April 8.