Repsol Honda have this morning announced they will retain the services of Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso for the 2010 MotoGP season which rules out the rumoured switch away from Fiat Yamaha for Jorge Lorenzo.

The pair have signed a deal which takes them to the end of the 2012 season and probabaly means the Lorenzo will remain alongside Valentino Rossi next year as The Doctor is on a two-year deal.

"I'm delighted to be able to announce that we have come to a basic agreement with our riders Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso for the next two years," said HRC president Tetsuo Suzuki.

"I understand that to announce this in August is much earlier compared to past years. Though there are still some details of the contracts to finalise, we are making this announcement now so that the riders and the team can remain fully concentrated on our joint goals: to win races and recapture the MotoGP World Championship. We are convinced these riders have the armoury required to win this ultimate prize.

"Dani and Andrea are highly motivated, and I believe they will strive in the last half of this season to get positive results. Both riders have been with Honda since their days in the 125cc class, and HRC will give our every effort to develop highly competitive machines for these two riders who possess the highest potential."