Ducati MotoGP outfit keeps Dovizioso as Lorenzo's team-mate

Lorenzo's high-profile switch from Yamaha to Ducati left its two Italian riders vying for one seat alongside the Spaniard, and on Tuesday the team revealed Dovizioso had signed a two-year contract extension.

Team boss Luigi Dall'Igna said: "It's never easy to take a decision like this one, especially when you have two great riders like the two Andreas in your team.

"We are very happy that Dovizioso has agreed to stay with us for the next two years, and together with him we can continue the successful work we began four years ago in order to reach the ambitious aims we have set for ourselves.

"We are sorry for Andrea Iannone, who at the end of the season will no longer be a part of the team.

"Andrea has carried out an important job in these years and has made a significant contribution to the development of the Ducati Desmosedici GP.

"For this reason we would like to thank him and we will provide him with our maximum commitment in the next rounds of the championship, in order to obtain the prestigious results that are for sure within his reach."

The decision means Iannone's factory deal with Ducati will end after just two seasons, after he stepped up from the satellite Pramac squad at the end of 2014.

"Obviously I am sorry that my time with Ducati will draw to a close at the end of this season, but I am grateful to the Bologna manufacturer for the opportunity it has given me in the last few years," he said.

"I made my MotoGP debut with Ducati and I have grown up with them, always succeeding in improving my level of performance.

"In the remaining races I will give my all, as I always do, because I am convinced that thanks to the competitiveness of the Desmosedici GP we can achieve some great results."

Dovizioso added: "I am very satisfied to have reached this agreement with Ducati and to be able to continue the adventure that begun back with them in 2013.

"In the last few years we have worked with a lot of commitment and we have succeeded in taking the Desmosedici GP to an excellent competitive level, and so I am convinced that soon we will obtain the satisfaction that we deserve."