Czech rider Karel Abraham is not happy to part ways from Reale Avintia Racing and leave MotoGP ahead of the 2020 season.
Having made his MotoGP debut in 2011, Abraham has competed in nine seasons for multiple manufacturers like Ducati, Honda and Aprilia, with a best finish of 14th twice in the 2011 and 2012 riders’ championship.
He signed a multi-season contract ahead of the 2019 MotoGP season to compete for Avintia in 2020. Abraham was also named as one of the riders in the provisional entry list for 2020 and the Czech rider took part in the two-day test at Valencia.
But things have changed since then with Avintia signing an extended deal with Ducati, to become the Italian manufacturer’s satellite outfit. At the same time, KTM outcast Johann Zarco’s name has been linked with the seat after talks with Ducati.
Neither Avintia and nor Zarco has made any announcements regarding their future but Abraham broke the news of him leaving MotoGP in a fan event in Czech Republic. It was confirmed by his father through Brno circuit’s social media page.
“Karel Abraham announced the end in MotoGP at the meeting with fans,” it said. “It’s a sad day for all domestic fans. We appreciate that we’ve had the opportunity to keep our fingers crossed watching a rider competing under the Czech flag for so long. Thank you.”
Abraham himself posted on his Instagram stories where he shared videos of the last time he rode the Ducati Desmosedici during the Valencia GP. “Thank you everyone for the nice words,” he wrote. “It made me angry, very disappointed, but especially sad.
“This is the last video of me on the MotoGP bike. At the time I had no idea I was going to enjoy my last laps on the ‘beast’.” It remains to be seen what Abraham does and if Zarco decides to make full-time MotoGP return with Avintia Ducati.
Here’s story of Avintia extending with Ducati