Bradley Smith says the chance to move to MotoGP was too good to reject after signing a three-year deal that will see him compete in the World Championship in 2013 and 2014.

The 20-year-old, from Forest Hill, near Oxford, who races in the Moto2 World Championship, will remain with the Tech 3 Racing Team next year.

He will then join the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 MotoGP Team for 2013 and 2014.

Smith said: “The opportunity to move to MotoGP in 2013 was simply too good for me to turn down.

“There was never any doubt in my mind that Tech 3 would be the best option to develop my career.

“To think I’ll be riding a Yamaha 1000cc MotoGP bike just over a year from now is hard to believe.

“I’ve worked so hard for many years to earn the chance to be given an opportunity like this and, now it has come, I intend to grab it with both hands.”

Smith started grand prix racing in 2006, competing in the 125cc World Championship for the Repsol Honda team.

In 2008, he moved to Polaris World Aprilia team, and a year later he joined the Bancaja Aspar Racing Team, winning two races and finishing second in the title race.

He moved up to Moto2 with the Tech 3 team this season and has picked up three podiums finishes to stand in sixth in the standings.

There were rumours of a move to MotoGP next year.

And Smith added: “The decision to stay in Moto2 (for 2012) was one of the hardest of my life, but I believe that, together, we can be fighting at the front from the start of next season.”

Tech 3 team manager Herve Poncharal said: “Without doubt, we have managed to secure the services of one of the brightest young talents in the world.

“When he moves to our MotoGP Team in 2013, he will be immediately competitive.”