Sam Lowes will return to the Gresini team for the 2019 Moto2 season in place of Jorge Navarro, with the Italian squad confirming it will remain a one-bike entry.
Lowes raced for Fausto Gresini's squad for two years, starting in Moto2 in 2016 – where he tallied up two wins – before stepping up to the Gresini-run factory Aprilia team in MotoGP last year.
A tough run of results saw Lowes' two-year deal with the Noale marque terminated, and he found himself back in Moto2 this year with the CGBM Evolution KTM squad, where he currently lies 12th in the standings on 46 points.
Lowes said of the deal: “I am very happy to be working again with Gresini racing and Federal Oil; we have good memories together and unfinished business from both sides.
“I have learnt a lot the last couple of seasons and now it’s the time to show it.
“I know the high level of this team and have 100% faith in them: my motivation is as high as ever and look forward to enjoying a new successful partnership with Gresini Racing, its partners and sponsors.”
Gresini added: “Sam is a welcome return. He’s been with us for two seasons already and the first one in Moto2 was one to remember.
“I’m happy to be counting on his professionalism and talent, and with Federal Oil on our side again I’m confident we will be back towards the front of the field in the middleweight class.”
After a difficult debut season in Moto2 last year, and a tough start to his 2018 campaign, Navarro's place with the Gresini team looked in doubt for some time. He will join the Speed Up team in 2019 after signing a two-year deal, replacing the MotoGP-bound Fabio Quartararo.
