Marc VDS rider to step back to Moto2

Luthi, 31, raced in the intermediate class for 11 seasons after joining the 250cc category in 2007, finishing runner-up in '16 and last year before graduating to MotoGP.

But the Swiss rider has struggled to adapt to Marc VDS's Honda RC213V, and 10 races into his rookie campaign he is one of two full-time riders yet to score points.

Marc VDS is widely expected to pull out of MotoGP next year, and while Luthi was briefly linked to Xavier Simeon's Avintia Ducati ride he has now forgone hopes of staying on the premier-class grid and instead signed a Moto2 deal with the Intact GP team.

"MotoGP is still a dream come true for me - but circumstances have not made it easy for me in recent months," Luthi said.

"Now I am very happy that such a great door has opened for the next years. Dynavolt Intact GP is a strong, safe and well-organised team in which top performances are possible."

Intact's press release stated Luthi would join the team "for the 2019 season and beyond".

Replacing Xavi Vierge, Luthi will ride a Kalex Moto2 bike alongside Marcel Schrotter, who joined the outfit on a multi-year deal in 2018.

Vierge, who sits seventh - one place and eight points ahead of Schrotter - in the current Moto2 standings, will instead switch over to Marc VDS' Moto2 outfit to partner Alex Marquez.