Alvaro Bautista has confirmed he will move to the factory Ducati squad in World Superbikes for next year, leaving the MotoGP grid after nine seasons, joining alongside Chaz Davies for 2019.

The Spaniard announced his 2019 plans during the pre-event British MotoGP press conference at Silverstone on Thursday, he confirmed a one-year deal with Aruba.it Racing Ducati – who are currently testing at Portimao.

Bautista joined the Aspar-run satellite Ducati squad at the start of 2017 and will stick with the Italian manufacturer ahead of his debut year in World Superbikes.

The factory Ducati squad also confirmed Davies would be retained for 2019 for his fifth season with his factory team, with both riders set to debut the new Ducati V4 Panigale. It means Marco Melandri will leave the team after two seasons.

2019 will mark Bautista’s first year competing in production-based racing having joined the GP paddock full-time in 2003 in the 125cc class. In 2006 Bautista won the 125cc world championship to signal his move up to 250cc where he stayed for three years securing the highlight of runner-up in the 2008 championship.

Bautista made his MotoGP debut with Rizla Suzuki in 2010 where he spent two years before switching to the Gresini team where he raced Honda machinery from 2012 to 2014 before the team’s switch to Aprilia.