Aprilia has become the sixth and final MotoGP manufactu𝔍rer to re-sign with Dorna for the next contract cycle, from 2022-2026.

In doing so, it was confirmed that the Italian brand will now participate aꩵs an Off෴icial manufacturer, meaning it will join its rivals in having its own Factory grid places.

Since 2015, Aprilia has been competing in Mo💖toGP via a partnership wi🌄th the Independent Gresini team, which comes to an end this year.

Aprilia is yet to finish higher than sixth in a four-stro🍷ke MotoGP race, meaning it is the only manufacturer still with access to technical concessions, but lead rider Aleix Espargaro is confident that the 'best yet' 2021 RS-GP is capa𒐪ble of finishing on the podium.

“I am obviously happy about this agreement," said Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing CEO. "From next s🐲eason, we will be participating as Aprilia Racing Factory Team. This opens up new and hopefully great opportunities and we will need to manage many additional respon🌠sibilities.

"It is a na🍌tural step that we are taking just as we are beginning to see the first positive signs from the hard work we’ve done in Noale, first and foremost on our structure, and consequently on o♔ur beautiful RS-GP bikes.

"At this time, our thoဣughts and gratitude go to Gresini Racing, who have accompanied us in these years. In heartfelt memory o𓆏f Fausto, I wish the team and all its staff the best success for the coming seasons.”

Gresini is to continue in MotoGP as an Independent team, is currently 'speaking with several manufacturers' and will announce its𒅌 202🐭2 machinery in the next few weeks. 

Rivola's words suggest it is far from certain that Gresini will be running satellite Aprilias, with Suzuki ꧒or Ducati the other rumoured options.