The Honda MotoGP team has announced a two-year extension with Spanish energy giant Repsol as title sponsor that will run through to the end of 2020.
The factory Honda premier class team has been backed by Repsol since 1995, with the partnership producing 13 riders' world titles between Mick Doohan, Alex Criville, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez.
On top of 13 titles, Repsol Honda riders have tallied up 163 premier class victories since 1995, with Marquez adding to that list last weekend at the Dutch TT.
The extension of Honda's partnership with Repsol will take in the 25th anniversary of the collaboration next year, something which HRC President Yoshishge Nomura says gives the Japanese marque “great joy and pride”.
“We're delighted to announce the extension of our partnership with Repsol for two more years,” he said.
“Next season will mark the 25th anniversary of the longest and most successful relationship of this kind in MotoGP, an achievement that gives us great joy and pride.
“During this period, we have successfully faced together the many exciting challenges posed by the rapid evolution of technology, the ever-increasing level of racing competition, the growth of the worldwide MotoGP audience in traditional and new markets, and the fast-changing means of communicating with fans.
“We look forward to continuing this journey together, with the same spirit and goals, and to achieving many more successes.”
Honda's 25th anniversary with Repsol will also coincide with the arrival of triple MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who will join Marquez after agreeing a deal with HRC last month.
Current rider Dani Pedrosa – who has contributed 31 wins to Repsol Honda since stepping up to the premier class in 2006 – will leave the team at the end of the year.
Pedrosa has been linked with a potential move to the incoming Petronas Yamaha team, though retirement is now thought to be a realistic option for the Spaniard. He will hold a press conference this Thursday at the Sachsenring to announce his future plans.
