KTM’s quest to find a replacement for Johann Zarco in its factory MotoGP team for 2020 may be nearing its end with a surprising name.

Numerous riders, including World Superbike star Alvaro Bautista, ex-KTM man Bradley Smith and Moto2 frontrunner Remy Gardner, have been linked to the vacant works RC16 for the 2020 season.

Test rider Mika Kallio’s call-up for the final six races of the season appeared to be a dress rehearsal for a full-time bow next year, but his performances have so far gone wanting.

Now it appears KTM has settled on double Moto2 podium finisher and current American Team KTM rider Iker Lecuona to join Pol Espargaro – if strong rumours emerging in the German press are to be believed.

The latest edition of the Tank Slappers podcast with Motorsport.com’s Global MotoGP Editor Oriol Puigdemont and Autosport’s Motorcycle Racing correspondent Lewis Duncan dig further into this rumour.

They also ask if the successes of Petronas SRT rookie Fabio Quartararo has prompted KTM to take its own gamble on an unknown quantity in MotoGP, and look ahead to this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix from Phillip Island.

The Tank Slappers podcast is Autosport and the Motorsport Network’s weekly podcast for all things two-wheeled, and can be found on Apple Podcasts via iTunes, Google Podcasts and Spotify – simply search for ‘Tank Slappers’.