Aspar confirms de Puniet
Aspar has signed Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaro for their 2012 MotoGP line-up as the team extends their participation in the premier series.
Aspar is one of several outfits that will be running the CRT (Claiming Rules Team) bikes next season, opting to field two riders instead of just one.
De Puniet, who has been in MotoGP since 2006, had the opportunity to test the Aprillia-powered CRT bike at Jerez last week and reckons the machine has "enormous potential."
"I am delighted to return to the Aspar Team, a team I raced with in 2005 in 250cc. I have very fond memories of that time," he said. "Together we will embark on a new challenge, CRT. I realise that this team is very competitive and will fight for the best material, in fact I have been able to train with them and the conclusions have been optimal. CRT is the future of MotoGP and I think there will be a lot of work ahead, but a very rewarding work. The goal for the next season will be to adapt as quickly as possible to the prototype, and gradually catch the front runners."
"Training in Jerez was productive and I was able to get a lot of information about the bike. It's clear that we are still far from what the final motorcycle will be, but I'm very happy with how everything has happened. The test in Jerez gave me the opportunity to realise the enormous potential of the new concept of CRT, and I am proud to be one of the pioneering riders in this new category."
As for Aleix Espargaro, he is relishing his return to the top flight.
"First of all, I am very excited to be on the Aspar Team, and returning to MotoGP is a big motivation for me," said the Spaniard. "2010 was quite positive for me and I would have liked to stay another year. I think for my weight and my height I can adapt well to the category and the bike. I am convinced that the year will go very well and I'll get great results for the Aspar Team. CRT is a completely new class, and we will initially have a lot of work, but I have chosen the Aspar Team is because I know it is a team that will face the new category very seriously. They are very professional and certainly developed a great bike. I am delighted with this new project."