Yamaha has re-signed Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo for 2013 and 2013 in MotoGP.

Yamaha has made the surprise announcement that it’s retained Jorge Lorenzo for the 2013 and 2014 MotoGP World Championship seasons.

The world title leader has extended his deal with Yamaha, sinking speculation that he was on track to sign with Repsol Honda to replace Casey Stoner next year.

Lorenzo joined Yamaha in 2008, achieving fourth place in his first season and claiming the Rookie of the Year title. He was then second in 2009, went on to become MotoGP World Champion in 2010 and was second again in 2011.

“I am extremely happy to have signed with Yamaha for two more years,” he said. “They’ve made great efforts to retain me in the factory team so I want to thank all those involved at Yamaha for this. I’ve been treated like part of the Yamaha family since 2008 and I love working with them.

“It has always been my first option to stay here and so I’m happy that this important negotiation has finished with such a positive outcome. Now I can focus on the championship and I’m looking forward to paying back Yamaha’s trust in me starting at Silverstone this weekend.

“I look forward to winning many more championships together – my dream to finish my career with Yamaha is now closer to becoming a reality!”

Lin Jarvis, Yamaha Motor Racing managing director, is thrilled to have the Spaniard back onboard for the next two seasons.

“This is excellent news for Yamaha and for the Yamaha Factory Racing Team,” commented Jarvis. “Jorge has been with us since 2008 and achieved superb results in the first four years, the highlight being his world championship victory in 2010.

“He’s currently on top form having won three of the first five GP races and finishing second in the other two. Jorge’s contract extension allows both him and Yamaha to concentrate 100 percent on this year’s championship challenge without any distractions and also to make future plans together to further strengthen the winning partnership.”

Lorenzo currently leads the 2012 MotoGP Championship by 20 points having taken three victories from the first five completed races of the 18 race series.