After a lengthy test session at Jerez, former Pramac Ducati MotoGP rider Randy De Puniet has signed to ride in Jorge Martinez's Aprilia-powered CRT MotoGP team for 2012.

The Frenchman, who was let go by Pramac, has spent the last three days circulating on an Aprilia RSV4-powered hybrid with carbon brakes and Bridgestone tyres. His best laptime that is known is a 1'41.5 which would have been good enough for fourth on the grid the last time 990s raced at the track. His Aspar team-mate will be Aleix Espargaro.

"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. I know that this is a very competitive team and they will be fighting to have the best material available. We have already tested and gathered a lot of good feedback. CRT is the future of MotoGP and even though we have a lot of work ahead of us it will be enjoyable," said De Puniet.

"The objective for next season will be to adapt as soon as possible to this new prototype and gradually close the gap to the factory bikes. Testing at Jerez was very productive, we had good weather and managed to gather a lot of good data. The lap times were interesting even though we are obviously a long way off the motorcycle we will start the season with so I am very pleased with how everything is coming together."