Current Moto3 world championship leader Lorenzo Dalla Porta will step up to the Moto2 class from 2020 after securing a two-year deal with the Italtrans Racing squad.

The Italian rider holds a 14-point lead at the top of the Moto3 standings heading into the Misano round and after five years in the lightweight class he will move up to Moto2 next year with Italtrans Racing Team to replace Andrea Locatelli alongside Enea Bastianini.

Dalla Porta says he’s fully focused on capping off his final Moto3 campaign with the world title for Leopard Racing before moving up to the intermediate category but is relishing getting up to speed in Moto2 from next season.

“I’m very happy to join Italtrans Racing Team. It’s a reference team in Moto2 and I’m so proud to race in the category with them,” Dalla Porta said. “It’s a great emotion. I hope it will be an important year getting good results. Thanks to the whole team for the support.”

“Lorenzo is a young and talented rider. We are happy he joins our family: we believe that his talent and continuous growth will allow both the team and him to achieve important results,” Laura Bertulessi, Italtrans boss, added.

“This union gives an added value, above all after the project started with Enea, who now is the Moto2 rookie and has already got an amazing podium. I'm sure that Lorenzo will follow in his footsteps and together we will achieve great results.”

Dalla Porta has been one of the most consistent riders in Moto3 this year with one win, coming in Germany, and six additional rostrums to see him lead the world title race by 14 points over Aron Canet with seven rounds to go.