As rumoured, Hector Barbera and Loris Baz have been officially confirmed as staying with the Avintia Ducati team for 2017.

Barbera has impressed as the leading Ducati rider (seventh) in the world championship standings despite the team's GP14.2 machinery and will be rewarded with 2016 Desmosedicis next season.

"I'm very happy because I think that we have shown a big progression over the last few years," said the Spaniard. "In just three seasons, we managed to move from twentieth place to seventh in the standings, and we achieved this with an old bike.

"The team and I grew together over this period of time, so I'm extremely happy to sign a new contract for next season, especially because we'll finally have a competitive bike, and we will be able to fight for something big.

"I have a really competitive team, we are like a big family and everybody is always looking for perfection."

Baz has endured an injury-interrupted first season at the team, leaving him just 21st in the standings. The Frenchman's machinery is yet to be confirmed, but it is thought he will get 2015-spec machines, as used by Pramac this year.

"First of all I want to say big thanks to the team for offering me another opportunity, because with the poor races we had so far, ninety per cent of the teams would have decided to sent me back home," he admitted.

"But Avintia Racing showed that they trust me and gave me another chance. I also think that during the winter tests and the first few races I showed that I'm not so slow.

"Now we need to try to get back to that point and try to be as competitive as Hector. The fact that my future is now decided takes a lot of pressure from me, because after my injury it was not easy, so I want to thank Raul, Bocha and Antonio.

"I got injured in the worst moment of the season, but they always supported and reassured me to take the pressure off. I hope to be able to return the favour with some better results in the last nine races of this season, and even results again in 2017."

Today's announcement leaves Aspar as the only MotoGP team to confirm its 2017 rider line-up.