REPSOL YPF will continue its title sponsorship of the Honda factory MotoGP team after an agreement was reached for a new two-year partnership for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

The highly successful 13-year partnership between the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) and the Repsol YPF brand has brought nine 500cc and MotoGP World Championship titles, 96 race victories in the premier class and 163 podium finishes to date.

HRC Managing Director, Mr Satoru Horiike commented: "After 13 years with Repsol, HRC is very pleased to continue the relationship with a new agreement from the 2008 season."

He continued: "The Repsol Honda team has enjoyed record-breaking success in the past 13 years and it is our intention to continue this. Repsol Honda is an established brand and we are very happy to be able to continue the growth of this image in the world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing."

Mr Jaume Giro, Repsol YPF Executive Director for Communication, explained: "Being able to finally announce that HRC and Repsol YPF are going to be together in the next years is a satisfaction for us and the culmination of several months of intense work in a joint project for the future, outlining the foundations for this agreement.

"Working with HRC is something that we've been doing now for more than 12 years. Our vision for the future and the determination of both companies to improve and be always one step ahead of our competitors has taken us to reach this collaboration."

Giro concluded: "Competing at the highest level is something innate for us and part of the corporate strategy for Repsol. Competition gives us the chance to be the leaders in research and development of new products and, at the same time, it allows us to enjoy being close to the fans."

Repsol is the official competition fuel supplier for the Repsol Honda Team, thanks to the development of specific fuel produced in the Repsol YPF Technological Centre.