A new challenge awaits Deniz Oncu in 2026. The Turkish rider will leave the KTM orbit after six seasons, the last two of which he spent in Moto2 riding a Kalex for the Ajo team, to make an assault on the World Championship by climbing onto the Elf Marc VDS Racing team's Boscoscuro machine.The 22-year-old Turk will complete the lineup fielded by the Belgian team in its 17th season in the intermediate MotoGP class, joining the already announced Aron Canet.
"I am very happy to announce that I will be part of the Marc VDS Racing family next year. It will be a new experience for me and a new challenge, but I have full confidence that this is the project to take my career to the next level," said Oncu, who is delighted to join Count Marc van der Straten's team. "I have been watching the Marc VDS Racing team for a long time and it is clear that it is a very professional team, which has achieved a lot of success in Moto2 in the past. I feel it is the right time to take on this new challenge, because I need to find the fire inside me again. We both share the same desire to win, and I am also excited to race next year on a different bike. It will be the first chance for me to race on a Boscoscuro. I am sure it will be very different and I am ready to start from scratch. But I am convinced that we will fight together at the top."
Also elated is team owner Marc van der Straten, who is eager to have the Turkish rider in his ranks.
"I am thrilled that Deniz will join us next year. He is a great talent and a great character, so he will be a great addition to the team," he said. "This year he has already proven to be a winner and has the determination and passion to fight for the top positions. I look forward to seeing him line up next year and bring us more glory."
Although he has been forced to sit out the last four championship races due to a fractured tendon and distal fibula in his left leg sustained in a training accident ahead of the Austrian GP, Deniz has already made a name for himself this season with three podium finishes: the second place he scored in Qatar and the two victories he took at MotorLand Aragon and Sachsenring. The Turkish rider currently occupies 10th place in the championship standings and is considered one of the most promising young riders in the world championship.