Teenager Jack Miller will fly the flag for Australia in MotoGP next year after signing a historic deal with LCR Honda.
The 19-year-old, who currently leads the Moto3 world championship, will become the first rider to skip Moto2 and graduate straight into the premier class.
He will ride a Honda RC213V-RS Open Specification bike alongside experienced Briton Cal Crutchlow.
Speculation that elite series giant Honda would recruit the talented Queenslander had been mounting in the lead up to Thursday's announcement.
Miller has been a revelation this season, winning four from 13 races in the smallest grand prix class for a nine-point lead on the overall Moto3 standings.
"It's a dream come true," he said of the deal.
"I think that every rider would like to race at the highest level in the world championship with a Honda.
"It is certainly a big jump from Moto3 to MotoGP, but I am convinced that we are ready and that, step-by-step, learning every day, we can do a great job."
Miller is following a similar path to fellow Australian and two-time world champion Casey Stoner, who also rode for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team before making his MotoGP debut with LCR Honda in 2006.
Crutchlow acknowledged the comparisons with Stoner and expected him to be a real challenger in the top tier in years to come.
"He's absolutely a special talent. Hopefully he can show us his true talent on a bigger bike," Crutchlow said.
Miller also drew praise from seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi, who has backed him to win this year's Moto3 title.
"I like Jack a lot," Rossi said.
"I like a lot his attitude, also out of the track, so I think he can have a very good career in the future."
Five rounds remain in the 2014 season, including the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island in October.
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