Bautista will drive an Aprilia

Álvaro Bautista will ride one of the official Aprilias starting next year, a brand that will be joined by his team, Gresini Racing, which will stop using the Hondas. The agreement with Bautista is valid for two years, for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Bautista's signing comes just hours after the official announcement that the Aprilia brand will return to the MotoGP World Championship as early as 2015, one year ahead of the previously announced plan, through a four-year cooperation with the Gresini Racing team. .

"I am very happy to have signed an agreement with Aprilia. Being able to work closely with a manufacturer is what I wanted for my future and Aprilia has offered me a great opportunity. I am also very motivated to embark on this new adventure, because I am leaving to return to a brand that has brought me great satisfaction in the past and with which I have shared great moments," said Bautista.

"The cooperation between Aprilia Racing and Gresini Racing will allow me to stay in a team in which I have been competing for three years now and which has become like a family to me," added the Spanish rider.

For his part, Fausto Gresini was "happy to be able to continue working with Bautista". "Alvaro has significant experience in MotoGP, so his contribution will undoubtedly be essential in the development of the new projects with Aprilia. I believe a lot in him and his potential and I am sure he will be able to bring the results we expect. , this two-year agreement will allow us to maintain the continuity of the union between Álvaro and Gresini Racing, which was formed in 2012 and has grown stronger over the years".