Moto2: Rider blocked for '18 over 'lack of results'

Swiss rider Raffin is in his third full campaign in the MotoGP support series, riding for the CGBM Evolution squad under the Garage Plus Interwetten banner.

The former CEV Moto2 champion is 19th in the points ahead of next weekend's Valencia finale, and last month recorded a career-best finish of fourth place at Phillip Island.

But although Raffin has a valid contract with CGBM for the 2018 season, the team's application for a grid slot has been rejected by the IRTA (International Road Racing Teams' Association) selection committee.

When contacted by Autosport, an IRTA spokesperson said: "The decision was based on his lack of consistent good results during his several years in the championship."

A request for a comment from the team has yet to be returned.

Raffin's likely absence from the 2018 Moto2 grid means CGBM, which had planned to field three KTM machines next season, only has guaranteed entries for Sam Lowes and Iker Lecuona - who Raffin has outscored so far this year.