The Pull&Bear Aspar Team will continue to race with Ducatis for the 2018 season. At Le Mans, the team signed a one-year extension of their deal with Ducati, which will see the Italian factory continue to supply satellite bikes to the team for next year.
Exactly what spec machinery the team will run is still to be decided. Depending on budget and the riders Aspar can sign, the team will either run two Desmosedici GP17s, or one GP17 and one GP16.
Alvaro Bautista is certain to be one of the riders for next year. The Spaniard has impressed on the GP16 so far this year, consistently matching or beating the factory riders.
The second seat is less clear, though Karel Abraham has also exceeded expectations, earning a front row start in Argentina. But Aspar is also keeping an eye on the talent available in Moto2, and if a young and fast rider becomes available, they may elect to sign them.
The team remain impressed with Pecco Bagnaia, who rode for them in Moto3 last season. Choices about riders will not be made until the second half of 2017, when it is clearer who will be available next year.
Source: Team Aspar
This article was originally published on MotoMatters, and is republished here on Asphalt & Rubber with permission by the author.
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