Enea Bastianini is now free to complete his expected MotoGP switch to Trackhouse Aprilia after KTM's contract option expired.
What happened?
Enea Bastianini joined KTM on a two-year contract that included an option for next season.
However, according to Sky Italia, the deadline by which KTM needed to activate that option has now passed.
Why it matters for Enea Bastianini
Bastianini is thus free to sign for the American team, which would become his fifth MotoGP outfit and see him join Aprilia, his third different manufacturer.
The Italian, a seven-time MotoGP race winner with Ducati, took a KTM podium at Catalunya last year and secured Tech3's only rostrum of the season so far by finishing third in this year's COTA Sprint.
What comes next?
Bastianini will partner Raul Fernandez at Trackhouse, taking over the seat of Ai Ogura, who is joining the factory Yamaha team.
Meanwhile, Maverick Vinales' MotoGP future remains far less certain, as he is still recovering from last year's shoulder injuries.
KTM thus looks set to run four new riders next season, with Alex Marquez and Fabio di Giannantonio poised to form a new-look factory line-up.
Luca Marini has moved into contention at Tech3, which is seeking one experienced rider and one rookie from Moto2, either Senna Agius or Manuel Gonzalez.
Bastianini's move to Trackhouse Aprilia is expected to be finalized soon, marking a new chapter in his MotoGP career.