Alvaro Bautista confirmed with Gresini Aprilia
Alvaro Bautista will remain a Gresini Racing rider in 2015 after being confirmed as part of the team's new MotoGP endeavour with Aprilia.
Following the announcement over the weekend that Gresini will conclude its long-standing relationship with Honda in favour of a new venture with MotoGP returnees Aprilia, it has now confirmed that it will take Bautista with it to help develop the manufacturer's new prototype.
Though he will remain part of the Gresini fold, the new two-year deal does mark a return to Aprilia for Bautista having won the 2006 125GP class with the manufacturer en route to MotoGP, the Spaniard making his premier class debut in 2010.
Notching up three podiums and one pole position on Suzuki and Honda machinery in that time, Bautista is looking forward to getting the opportunity to help develop Aprilia's burgeoning MotoGP project.
"I am very happy to have signed an agreement with Aprilia or the next to MotoGP World Championship seasons," he said. "Working in close contact with a manufacturer is what I wanted for my future and Aprilia has offered me a great chance. I am also very motivated to embark on this new adventure because I am coming back to a brand that has brought me great satisfaction in the past and with which I have shared some great times.
"Above all, the cooperation between Aprilia Racing and Gresini Racing will allow me to stay on a team that I've been racing with already for three years and which has become like a family to me.
"I have worked directly for a manufacturer in the past and I really liked developing a new project together. Knowing that I'll be able to count on the support of so many engineers and technicians is exciting and I can't wait to get started working with them."
Having signed Bautista to his team in 2012, eponymous team manager Fausto Gresini was pleased to have agreed terms with his rider.
"I am happy to be able to continue working with Bautista - confirmed Fausto Gresini - Alvaro has significant experience in MotoGP so his contribution will certainly be essential in developing the new projects with Aprilia in the best possible way.
"I believe very much in him and his potential and I am confident that he will be able to bring us the results we are expecting. Also, this two year agreement will allow us to maintain continuity in the bond between Alvaro and Gresini racing which was formed in 2012 and that has been strengthened over the years."
Aprilia confirmed in Misano that it will return to the MotoGP class in 2015, a year earlier than originally planned. Bautista had long been linked with the project. Former MotoGP front runner-turned-WSBK racer winner Marco Melandri has been tipped to assume the second machine, but most recent speculation has suggested he may remain in World Superbikes.
