Honda Racing Corporation has confirmed the extension of the long-standing partnership with Repsol as title sponsor of its factory team for another two seasons, the official team set to field a three rider factory effort in 2011.

In a released distributed by HRC, it was confirmed that the Repsol Honda Team will race with three riders next year, just as it did when Repsol and Honda first joined forces in 1995.

Australia’s Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso will form a very strong factory Honda team line-up in 2011, evoking memories of the mid-nineties when Mick Doohan, Alex Criville and Shinichi Ito first rode in Repsol Honda colours.

“We are delighted to announce that our valued partners at Repsol will once again join us in our quest for the MotoGP World Championship next year,” commented Tetsuo Suzuki, HRC President. “Honda’s partnership with Repsol has been long and successful and we are very proud to be together again for this challenge into the future.

“We are also very pleased to expand the Repsol Honda Team to once again include three riders next year. Our current riders Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso will be joined by Casey Stoner, all racing in Repsol Honda colours to form a truly formidable line-up that we believe can fight for victory at every race and achieve our joint goals – recapturing all three MotoGP World Championship titles.”

The new deal with Repsol extends the instantly recognisable Repsol Honda Team partnership which has resulted in eight riders world championships, 90 race victories and 252 podium finishes.

“Repsol is extremely satisfied to be able to extend for another two seasons such a successful relationship with HRC, which will reach 18 years and during which we have achieved ninety victories in the premier class of motorcycle racing,” said Repsol corporate director of communication and head of chairman’s office, Begoña Elices.

“The combination of a reference manufacturer like Honda and three riders like Dani, Andrea and Casey, guarantees us a permanent hope for the whole championship as well as a place in the leading positions of the standings.

“Competing in the top class is intrinsic to Repsol, it is part of the corporate philosophy and strategy of our company. Top competition gives us the opportunity to be leaders in research and development of new fuels and lubricants while allowing us to maintain a much closer relationship with our customers.”

The team will make its official debut today at Valencia in Spain, the opening day of a two-day post-season test.