Alex Marquez will remain with the Estrella Galicia Marc VDS team in Moto2 for 2017 after signing a new deal.
Marquez was crowned Moto3 champion at the end of 2014 but has struggled with the transition to the less technical 600cc class but team boss Michael Bartholemy has confidence the youngster will become a front-runner in the class.
"I am happy to have secured a third year with Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS in the Moto2 World Championship and I want to say a big thank you to Marc van der Straten and the team for continuing to believe in me,” said the Spaniard.
“It's been a difficult season for me so far, but I'm determined to repay the team's faith in me in the second half of the year. My first Moto2 podium finish has proved more elusive than I expected, but that's now my number one goal in the 10 races remaining in 2016."