James Ellison makes Aprilia MotoGP debut

James Ellison made his long-awaited return to MotoGP action in Jerez yesterday (Tuesday) when he got his first chance to test Aprilia’s new CRT machine.

The former Tech 3 Yamaha rider, who will ride for the all-British Paul Bird effort in 2012, completed 36 laps on the new Aprilia ART machine.

He logged a best time of 1.44.4 but was only using steel brakes instead of the carbon brakes that he will race with in 2012.

The best pace was set by fellow Aprilia rider Randy de Puniet, who clocked a best time of 1.40.9.

His ART machine was using carbon brakes and the Jerez test was the third time the Frenchman has tested the Aprilia project, which is based heavily on its RSV4 World Superbike.

The test concludes today.