Alex Marquez to stay with Marc VDS in Moto2 for 2017

The 20-year-old Spaniard, who is younger brother to two-time MotoGP champion Marc, made the step up to Moto2 with the Belgian squad after beating Jack Miller and Alex Rins to the Moto3 title in 2014.

However, Marquez has endured a difficult time in the intermediate class, placing 14th in the standings in his rookie campaign last year and lying 20th in this season's points table having scored only twice in the first eight races.

His best Moto2 finish is fourth, which he achieved at Brno and Silverstone last year, and he says his goal for the rest of the year will be to get his first podium finish in the category.

"I want to say a big thank you to [Marc VDS owner] Marc van der Straten and the team for continuing to believe in me," said Marquez.

"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."

Team boss Michael Bartholemy added he hoped that an early renewal for Marquez would bring about an upturn in form for the Spaniard.

"We can see he has the potential to be a championship contender and I'm confident we can help him realise that potential," said Bartholemy.

"I was keen to do this deal as soon as possible, to relieve some of the pressure on Alex that has built up due to the results this year.

"Now he has a deal done for 2017, the pressure is off and he can focus completely on improving his performance and his results in the remaining races, starting this weekend at the Sachsenring."