Alvaro Bautista will join the Aspar Team for 2017 after the Spanish squad announced his signing on Wednesday. The Spaniard lost his place with Aprilia for next season after they confirmed Sam Lowes and Aleix Espargaro but Bautista will remain in the premier class for an eighth season aboard a satellite Ducati GP16.
Bautista’s switch sees him reunited with the team which took him to 125cc world championship glory ten years ago and the 31 year old is delighted to be bringing the winning combination back together.
“I am happy to be returning to what was my home for many years in the World Championship, where I enjoyed my best results including the 125cc World Championship title and fought for another title in 250cc. I am happy and motivated to be going back and especially to have another year in MotoGP, a new adventure. Over the years I have grown a lot and I have much more experience now. I am confident that with this team we can be competitive in 2017.”
Team Owner Jorge Martinez ‘Aspar’ has also welcomed the news and believes Bautista still has plenty to offer in MotoGP.
“For the Aspar Team it gives us great pleasure in every sense to welcome Álvaro Bautista back. As a team we picked up our first World Championship title with him back in 2006 and we enjoyed some wonderful years together. Our professional and personal relationship with him is excellent and for the team and our sponsors this is great news. My hope and desire is that this brings great results for Ducati and for us. It is important for us to have a Spanish rider with his record and his professionalism. He can give us an advantage on track.”
