Moto2: Aspar to hold Aprilia Moto2 talks

The Piaggio Group had supplied the majority of the field in Moto2's predecessor 250cc via its Aprilia and Gilera brands - but this week announced that it was calling a halt to its Moto2 project. Its statement claimed it would be "unnecessary and damaging" to participate in the series as the whole field would run Honda engines.

Martinez had expected to use Aprilias for his team's Moto2 programme, and amid reports that Aspar could take over the Aprilia chassis project, Martinez and his team's sporting director Gino Borsoi will meet with the company next Tuesday to discuss the situation.

"The news came as a surprise to me," Aspar was quoted as saying by the official MotoGP website. "We believed the project was developing and wanted Aprilia for our arrival in Moto2, because there is no doubt the Italian brand has great experience in world championships."

Aspar said his priority was to secure the most competitive Moto2 bike possible, having already signed the last two 125cc champions - Mike di Meglio and Julian Simon - has his 2010 Moto2 riders. If a deal cannot be reached with Aprilia, the team will have no qualms about switching to an alternative chassis.

"Next Tuesday, Gino and I will travel to Italy to meet with the leaders of Aprilia, and see if we can find a solution," Aspar said. "If there isn't one, we'll immediately look at our other options.

"What is clear is that we'll go with the most reliable project, because Julian and Mike, both 125cc world champions, must have the best equipment to challenge for the title. We also cannot let down the trust placed in us by our sponsors."