Aprilia swingarm device set for Jerez debut?

Aprilia looks set to become the third MotoGP manufacturer to run a swingarm device, during the forthcoming opening European round at Jerez next weekend.

The Italian manufacturer had halted development of the device during the winter, having apparently been advised it would not be allowed if its purpose was downforce.

But when Ducati subsequently unveiled a similar design for 'tyre cooling', Aprilia joined Honda, Suzuki and KTM in protesting the part at the Qatar season opener.

That protest was rejected - Ducati supplying evidence of a 7-degree drop in tyre temperature for only a minor downforce gain - prompting Honda to debut its version (on the grounds of swingarm stiffness) during practice in Austin.

Aprilia then tried its device during a private post-race COTA test and the factory has confirmed to Crash.net that the device is likely to be on the RS-GP during the Spanish MotoGP weekend, or post-race official test.

Valentino Rossi has already urged Yamaha, the only manufacturer not involved in the Qatar protest, to design a similar part for the M1 and it is assumed Suzuki and KTM are also investigating the device

Aprilia will have three RS-GPs on the grid at Jerez, with test rider Bradley Smith getting his second wild-card of the year.