Soon-to-be former works Yamaha World Superbike rider Eugene Laverty has said he could be testing his 2012 bike at Portimao circuit on Tuesday but won't be drawn on whether it is for a satellite Aprilia team.

The young Irishman races for Yamaha for the last time here in Portugal on Sunday and, after losing out to Andrea Dovizioso in the race for the Tech3 MotoGP ride, has some new and plain Alpinestars being delivered to the track on Monday.

"On Tuesday I may get the chance to throw my leg over my new steed for 2012 but before that I’ll be needing to sign a contract. There’s a cool Alpinestars testing suit arriving on Monday without any team logos which is a really strange situation to be in," said the Toomebridge man.

"My focus right now though is on two solid podium finishes to round out the season in style. Of course I’d like to stand atop the rostrum again, however, Carlos Checa is proving a hard man to stop on the Ducati 1198! It’s been five months since Monza but it feels more like ten."