Aprilia have this afternoon confirmed that Irishman Eugene Laverty will ride in the factory squad alongside Max Biaggi, putting paid to rumours the former would be in the satellite team and the latter may be heading for retirement.

Laverty tested Biaggi's RSV4 at Portimao two days after the World Superbike finale but ran out of the Pata Aprilia garage, giving rise to speculation he may be in a different team to Biaggi but with a factory bike.

Rumours among the Italian media had also said that even though Biaggi had ridden with 'next target' on his lid in Portugal, he may still have plans to retire even though a year was left to run on his contract.