Marquez signs Honda MotoGP contract extension

Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez signed a new deal that will see him remain at the Honda factory team for a further two seasons.

Despite some interest from rival manufacturers, Marquez had made it clear his preference was to remain with Honda - the outfit he has competed with since making his premier class debut in 2013. He said during the most recent pre-season test in Thailand that a deal to remain at the works squad was already in progress.

The four-time champion has now extended his agreement with Honda, and will remain with the team for the 2019 and 2020 campaigns.

Marquez is the second leading rider to sign a new deal to stay put, amid growing indications that the 2019 rider market is set to be relatively stagnant among the top teams. Maverick Vinales has already committed to Yamaha for another two seasons after 2018, while team-mate Valentino Rossi is widely expected to remain on board for at least one more year.

Ducati duo, Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo, are also thought likely to remain with the Italian marque.

The only question mark concerns Marquez's team-mate Dani Pedrosa, who has raced for Honda since 2006.