Photo: motogp.com
We told you yesterday that Marco Melandri and Aprilia mutually agreed to put an end to their collaboration. At the same time, former MotoGP rider Michael Laverty was rumored as a potential replacement for the Italian. Today Aprilia and the official MotoGP website confirmed that Laverty will indeed be at the helm of the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini bike.
The older of the (three) Laverty brothers will be riding the Aprilia bike this very weekend, being probably one of the most sudden changes of career we have witnessed lately. Even more, Aprilia adds that Michael Laverty is a permanent replacement for Marco Melandri, and that he will be riding for the house of Noale for the remainder of the season.
Paul Bird, however, decided to call it quits at the end of the 2014 season, and thus Michael Laverty jumped aboard a BMW S1000RR in the British Superbike Championship with Team Tyco BMW.
Choosing Michael Laverty as a permanent rider for Aprilia is a natural choice, as he has served in the past as a test rider for the RS-GP machine, and knows how it works. Moreover, he will be able to test the bike in race conditions, hopefully earning points for Aprilia Gresini and providing even more valuable feedback to help with the all-new bike Noale prepares for 2016.
The other brotherly pair, also in different teams is Aleix Espargaro and his younger brother Pol, riding for Ecstar Suzuki and Tech3 Yamaha, respectively.
The last piece of MotoGP action ahead of the month-long summer break kicks off this Friday at Sachsenring for the German GP.
Riding in the premier class in 2013 and 2014 with Paul Bird Motorsport
Laverty, hailing from Northern Ireland, has been riding in the premier class in 2013 and 2014 with Paul Bird Motorsport and was Broc Parkes' teammate.Paul Bird, however, decided to call it quits at the end of the 2014 season, and thus Michael Laverty jumped aboard a BMW S1000RR in the British Superbike Championship with Team Tyco BMW.
Choosing Michael Laverty as a permanent rider for Aprilia is a natural choice, as he has served in the past as a test rider for the RS-GP machine, and knows how it works. Moreover, he will be able to test the bike in race conditions, hopefully earning points for Aprilia Gresini and providing even more valuable feedback to help with the all-new bike Noale prepares for 2016.
Two pairs of brothers in the MotoGP class
With Michael Laverty back to MotoGP, things turn a bit to the funny side. We now have two pairs of brothers in the premier class. Eugene is the youngest of the Laverty brothers (John is between him and Michael) and he is currently racing in the Jorge Martinez' Aspar MotoGP Team, having Nicky Hayden as teammate.The other brotherly pair, also in different teams is Aleix Espargaro and his younger brother Pol, riding for Ecstar Suzuki and Tech3 Yamaha, respectively.
The last piece of MotoGP action ahead of the month-long summer break kicks off this Friday at Sachsenring for the German GP.
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