Moto2: Kent gets full-time deal for 2018/19

Kent, who won the Moto3 class in 2015, has endured a chaotic 2017 and made only sporadic appearances in MotoGP's support classes.

He parted ways with Moto2 outfit Kiefer Racing after the third round of the season, having contested the first two races of 2017 before withdrawing from the subsequent Austin event citing a back injury.

Kent then raced in Moto3 with Ajo KTM at Le Mans and later at the Sachsenring, with those two wildcard rides split by an appearance at the Interwetten Moto2 outfit at Mugello.

For this weekend's Red Bull Ring round, Kent will race for Intact GP in the Moto2 class in place of the team's regular rider Marcel Schrotter - meaning he will have riden for four teams this season.

But the 23-year-old has reached a full-time agreement with the Speed Up squad, which will cover the 2018 and '19 seasons.

The Italian team entered the category back in 2010, helping Andrea Iannone to third in the riders' standings, and also enjoyed success with Sam Lowes in 2015 when the Briton placed fourth.

"I'm really excited about this new opportunity with Speed Up and I can't wait to get on the bike," said Kent.

"I'd like to thank Luca [Boscoscuro, Speed Up founder] and all the team for their belief in me, I'm working hard towards the end of season tests and already excited for 2018.

"This weekend I'm replacing Marcel Schrotter which will be good to get some time back on the Moto2 bike.

"2017 has been tough but it had made me even more determined for the future."