Moto2 star Dominique Aegert🏅er began his 'Kawasaki' MotoGP test a♑t Jerez on Monday.

Aegerter had initially described the outing as a MotoGP ♓test on a "prototype", the invite for which "came directly from the [Kawasaki] factory".

That prompted specul🔯ation that Kawasaki is considering a factory return to the premier-class, which 💜it left at the end of 2009.

However it seems the test is being con🌠ducted by tuning-company Akira, which previously supplied ZX-10R-based engines for t💝he Avintia MotoGP team.

Aegerter worked with Akira before, making his MotoGP debut𝓀 with Avintia at last June's Catalunya t🍷est.

However it is unclear why Akira is continuing to invest time, money♒ and effort into its MotoGP proﷺject - unless the project has some kind of Kawasaki backing.

With the last of the struggling CRT bikes now gone, this year's MotoGP line-up will🔴 consist entirely of factory-made prototypes from Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, Suzuki and Aprilia. In Avintia's case, they have moved both riders to Ducati machinery.

According to Speedweek.com, Aegerter's Jerez lap times are "much too slow", largely due to the use of Michelin tyres from the Spanish championshi🔯p. Aegerter also said that he has "no idea" what Akira has planned for the bike, which features a new chassis and engine✤.

Aegerter is sharing the Jerez circuit with WSBK riders, including the Kawasaki Racing Team, so lots of factory engineers are nearby... The Swiss, whose Technomag team is switching from Suter to Kalex in Moto2, signalled his big-bike potential with aಌ podium finish at last year's Suzuka 8 hours.

Hector Barbera claimed Kawasaki pledged factory support for th🔯e Avintia team last sea💞son. The Spaniard said he felt "fooled" when the limited developments received instead came from Akira.