Lanky Lithiuanian Arminas Jasikonis has finally clinched a MXGP deal for 2018 after his factory Suzuki squad quit at the end of 2017. He’ll ride for the Italian-based Assomoto team on a Honda CRF450 and will have former British MX2 championship hopeful, Bulgarian Petar Petrov as his team-mate.

“I hope everyone has been waiting for official announcement from me on which colour I’m going to ride in the 2018 season… And it’s a RED one!” said Jasikonis on social media. “I’m pleased to announce that for the 2018 season I’m going to ride for Assomotor Honda. I’m very excited to work with these people and I’m very thankful for believing in me and giving this chance!”

Jasikonis had his best result in 2017 at the Portuguese GP when he took two third places for third overall, behind Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings.

Petrov only contested four MX2 GPs last year for the factory-backed Kawasaki team due to injury. He moves up to the MXGP series as he’s now too old for MX2.