Aprilia completes first winter test.

The Aprilia MotoGP squad left Jerez last week pleased with the progress it had made towards the 2001 campaign.

Comprehensively beaten by the all-conquering Chesterfield Yamahas this year, Aprilia is determined to regain the upper hand in the GP250 class, and took young team leader Marco Melandri, as well as established test rider Marcellino Lucchi, to the southern Spanish circuit for the three-day test.

Day one succumbed almost entirely to the weather, as untypical rain swept across the track in the morning session, and left the riders kicking their heels until after lunch. Little was learnt, therefore, until day two, when Lucchi continued to lap on the 2001 prototype, and Melandri set about testing development parts for next year's machine on his 2000-spec bike.

Conditions were better, although still colder than expected for the Mediterranean region, on the second day, and translated into a strong wind overnight. Although no official times were released by the factory, the third day yielded little improvement, but at least gave Melandri the chance to try the prototype machine.

The young Italian's partner for 2001 is still unknown, although it is almost certainly not going to be Lucchi, who will content himself with the occasional wildcard ride. Instead, Aprilia's GP500 podium visitor Jeremy McWilliams may yet be drafted into the line-up, as he seeks to prolong a relationship with the factory that will give him the chance to return to GP500 with a new four-stroke machine in 2002.