Aprilia have confirmed this evening that Alvaro Bautista will race with their Gresini Racing-run MotoGP effort in 2015 after signing a two-year deal.

The Spaniard, who has struggled this season with the Factory Honda that is now bound for his current team-mate Scott Redding, doesn’t yet have a team-mate and speculation is rife that it may not be Marco Melandri after all.

"I am very happy to have signed an agreement with Aprilia for the next two MotoGP World Championship seasons. Working in close contact with a manufacturer is what I wanted for my future and Aprilia has offered me a great chance. I am also very motivated to embark on this new adventure because I am coming back to a brand that has brought me great satisfaction in the past and with which I have shared some great times,” said Bautista.

“Above all, the co-operation between Aprilia Racing and Gresini Racing will allow me to stay on a team that I've been racing with already for three years and which has become like a family to me.

“I have worked directly for a manufacturer in the past and I really liked developing a new project together. Knowing that I'll be able to count on the support of so many engineers and technicians is exciting and I can't wait to get started working with them.”