Dovizioso agrees to stay at Ducati

Dovizioso, who has been a Ducati factory rider since 2013, mounted the team's first title challenge since the Casey Stoner era last year.

But contract renewal negotiations were made difficult as Dovizioso upped his financial demands, having previously had a significantly smaller salary than that of underperforming team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

Despite Dovizioso having had talks with Honda and Suzuki, and rejecting Ducati's first offer, the 32-year-old said on Thursday at Le Mans that he was getting "closer" to a renewal.

The team then officially confirmed on Friday morning that he would stay on for another two years.

Dovizioso is fifth in the standings following his dramatic crash at Jerez that also involved Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa.

The identity of Dovizioso's team-mate remains uncertain, with Lorenzo considering a move to Suzuki.

If the three-time MotoGP champion leaves, Pramac Ducati duo Jack Miller and Danilo Petrucci are the prime candidates to replace him.

Ducati is the third team to have announced 2019 rider plans during the French Grand Prix week, following Thursday's news that Alex Rins and Aleix Espargaro would spend two more seasons at Suzuki and Aprilia respectively.