Espargaro returns as Aprilia goes (RED)

Aprilia will be back to full strength with the return of Aleix Espargaro for this weekend's Valencia MotoGP finale, when the team will also run the special (RED) livery seen at last year's event.

(RED), founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver, has contributed more than $475 million to the Global Fund in the battle against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Spaniard Espargaro will be back in the saddle of his RS-GP after being forced to miss Sepang due to a hand injury at Phillip Island.

"I can't wait to get back in the saddle. I have missed the RS-GP!" Espargaro said. "I was sorry to miss the Malaysia round due to the injury. Unfortunately, ours is a dangerous sport and these things can happen.

"I am confident. My hand is better and despite the fact that there is still some pain, I will give 100%. The entire team and I deserve to finish this season well. We have worked hard and we want to tackle preparation for 2018 with the right confidence."

Rookie team-mate Sam Lowes will be making his final MotoGP appearance for Aprilia before stepping back to Moto2 in 2018.

"I want to do well in Valencia. It is a track where we have done various tests, so we will have a good starting setup. After the triple-header I recharged my batteries and I am ready to give it my all for myself and for the team," Lowes said.

Espargaro starts the final round holding 14th in the world championship, with Lowes 25th.