Monégasque Eugene Laverty has been confirmed as the second rider in Aspar Honda’s MotoGP line-up for 2015 and will get one of the new RC213VR-S production bikes to ride.

The Monaco resident will join Nicky Hayden in next year's team and will get his first run out on the bike, which will be equipped with the factory engine from this year but no seamless gearbox, at the post-season Valencia test on Novmeber. Due to contractural gubbins, he won't be allowed to talk about it much before then.

“Eugene Laverty is a rider we were already in contact with last year, we tried to sign him then and even though we didn't manage it at the time he is a rider we have been interested in for a long time. I think he is a rider with great potential, he has produced some incredible races in Supersport and Superbikes, and he has a lot of wins on his record with a lot of different manufacturers, which says a lot about his capacity to adapt,” said team owner Jorge Martinez.

“Maybe he hasn't had the luck that you always need to win a world title but I am sure that he will be giving 100% to the DRIVE M7 Aspar Team. I am sure he will continue to develop as a rider and he can bring a lot to this team. He is ready to make the step to MotoGP. Next year we will have a new, more competitive Honda, and I have a lot of hope invested in our MotoGP project. I am sure we will achieve great results together.”