MARQUEZ RE-SIGNS WITH HONDA

The young Spaniard, who took the MotoGP World Championship in his rookie season last year, had only been signed to the end of this year prior to inking the new deal this week. The new contract keeps Marquez with HRC until the end of 2016.

HRC said it was a priority to re-sign Marquez, who has won every race so far this season - all from pole position.

Since joining Repsol Honda (the HRC factory outfit) ahead of the 2013 season, Marquez has finished on the podium in all but two of his twenty-two MotoGP races so far (prior to this weekend's French GP).

He's taken ten victories, six seconds and four thirds. He's also accumulated thirteen pole positions in the premier class.

Ahead of this weekend's French GP, round 4 of the 18-round 2014 series, Marquez leads the Rider's Championship by 28 points.

Marc Marquez:
"I am very happy to announce my renewal with HRC. I had always dreamt about being part of the Repsol Honda Team, and thanks to Honda the dream came true a year and a half ago. Everything happened very quickly last season, and I would have never imagined that I could achieve what we did. Becoming World Champion during my first season was another dream turned into reality. It is 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."

Shuhei Nakamoto - HRC Executive Vice President:
"We are very satisfied to have reached an agreement to keep Marc in the team for a further two seasons. Of course as Honda we wanted to keep Marc in our family and he also wanted to stay with us so… it was natural to renew the contract even if it is very early in the season! He is enjoying a fantastic start to 2014 and even though he is still learning, his ability to absorb information and adapt to the machine is remarkable."

Marc Marquez World Championship Statistics

MotoGP:
Starts: 22
Podiums: 20 (10 x 1st, 6 x 2nd 4 x 3rd)
Poles: 13
Fastest Race Laps: 13
World Champion: 2013

Moto2:
Starts: 32
Podiums: 25 (16 x 1st, 6 x 2nd, 3 x 3rd)
Poles: 14
Fastest Race Laps: 7
World Champion: 2012

125cc:
Starts: 46
Podiums: 14 (10 x 1st, 4 x 3rd)
Poles: 14
Fastest Race Laps: 9
World Champion: 2010