“I am really pleased,” the Spaniard said. “In nine years in MotoGP I have not been with any team for more than two years. This will give me stability.”

While the latest Aprilia has shown a big improvement, good race results have been lacking, with a single top-ten in Texas, and three non-finishes.

“We have had some problems with the new engine,” he admitted. “But I think we have shown good potential.”

Team-mate Scott Redding is another who will be out of contract at the end of this season; along with fellow-Briton Bradley Smith.