Honda confirms Marquez's two-year contract extension

It means the two-time champion, who has raced for Repsol Honda since graduating to the premier class in 2013, will remain with the team until the end of 2018.

"I'm very happy to announce this renewal with HRC, especially coinciding with Grand Prix of Catalunya, my home GP, where I have some really good memories," said Marquez.

"HRC and I have a very strong relationship, and I've always wanted to continue being a part of the Repsol Honda Team.

"In three and a half years together, we've enjoyed some unbelievable moments, with great victories and two world titles, as well as a few challenging moments that I believe are making us stronger.

"We're working very hard this year to regain the title. It's a great honour to be a part of the Honda family, and I'm glad to remain with this special group of people for another two seasons."

Marquez will once again be partnered by Dani Pedrosa, who was granted a two-year extension to his long-running Honda contract last month after weeks of speculation surrounding his future.

While Pedrosa was at one stage strongly linked with a switch to Yamaha, Marquez's options were severely limited by Valentino Rossi's early Yamaha renewal and Jorge Lorenzo's defection to Ducati.

The Italian manufacturer had expressed an interest in Marquez's services as it sought to bring on board a top-line rider for 2017, before ultimately concluding an agreement to poach Lorenzo from Yamaha.

Second highest-paid rider

Marquez admitted in a pre-Catalan GP event on Tuesday that he was destined to stay at Honda next season, with a deal finally being signed in Barcelona on Thursday.

His new deal means he will get around €9m per season, an increase over what he made before. Now he's the second highest paid rider before Lorenzo, who will get €12m per season from Ducati.

According to Marquez, the delay in signing the new deal was caused by different clauses related to the set-up of his team and its influence in the development of the bike.

Next rider moves

The next 2017 rider announcement is expected during the Thursday press conference, when Pol Espargaro is set to reveal his choice to join current Tech 3 Bradley Smith at KTM.

That leaves just two factory seats up for grabs, the most attractive being the vacant slot at Suzuki alongside Andrea Iannone. Discussions have taken place with Alex Rins, with confirmation expected prior to the Dutch TT.

Were Rins to clinch the ride, it would leave Aleix Espargaro in the cold, although it is believed that the Spaniard has been in discussions with Aprilia, among others.

Johann Zarco is also widely expected to make a premier class graduation next year, most likely alongside fellow intermediate class runner Jonas Folger at Tech 3 Yamaha - although other names, including World Superbike rider Alex Lowes, have also been linked to the ride.

2017 MotoGP grid so far: