Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaro confirmed at Aspar under CRT – MotoGP news
Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaro have been signed by Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez’s MotoGP team for 2012 premier class season.
The team Aspar has confirmed both riders will participate in the MotoGP class under Claim Rule Team regulations. Previously the team was contending with Hector Barbera in the 2011 season. After spending a rough season he departed from the team.
The Frenchman participated with Pramac Racing in the recently ended season. After signing off from the team, he joined back team Aspar since 2005.
De Puniet said, “I am very happy to return to the Aspar Team. Having already raced with them in 2005 during my 250cc career, I have very fond memories of that time and now we are taking on a new challenge together in the shape of CRT.”
The French rider added that the team is highly competitive and aims to return in a good shape in 2012 MotoGP season.
After working as a satellite Ducati team, Aspar has reset its entrance as a Claiming Rule Team with Aprilia machines. Puniet tested the Aprilia CRT machine at Jerez, earlier this month. The team collected crucial technical data from the test session.
With the introduction of CRT in the MotoGP World Championship, many new teams have shown interest in the low running cost category to challenge the factory teams.
Many riders and officials assume the future of MotoGP is CRT that will help to increase the number of riders on the grid. It will also help the teams to participate with an upgraded factory machine versus MotoGP prototypes.
Although the bike has been significantly slower than the prototypes but de Puniet aims to adapt the machine as soon as possible. The importance to close the gap with prototypes is crucial for team.
He claimed the Jerez test session was a productive outing for the team and will help to get a good season start in 2012.
Espargaro said, “First of all I am very excited to join the Aspar Team and especially to be returning to MotoGP, which is a huge source of motivation for me. In 2010 I had a pretty positive season and I would have liked to continue for another year.”
The next official MotoGP outing will be held at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia in January.
Tags: