Having joined Aprilia f🌠or the Sepang tests, the factory has now officially signed Lorenzo Savadori as a MotoGP test rider.

The Italian was cal🐟led-up during the reshuffle that followed Andrea Iannone's ongoing suspension for a ♋failed doping test.

Iannone's usual winter work has been given to current test and wild-card rider Bradley Smith, who is also pencilled in as a race replaꦜcement should Iannone not be able to💧 line-up on the grid in Qatar on March 8.

Savadori was in turn brought in to take on some of Smith's usual work, spending much of the M🎐alaysian t🔜ests on a 2019 spec bike as he learned the ropes before a debut on the all-new 2020 machine.

Savadori's best tim൲e was 4.8s from Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha) and 3.4s 🅺from Smith.

'The good outcome of that test and the big job of development that awaits the new 🧸bike were the key ele🔜ments in the decision taken by Aprilia Racing and Lorenzo in launching this collaboration' said an Aprilia statement.

Nonetheless, the news that Savadori has now been si🎀gned as an Aprilia test rider suggests the factory does not expect a speedy conclusion to Ia🌊nnone's case.

“I am truly very happy to continue racing for Aprilia Racing," Savadori said. "The role of MotoGP tester lets me get close to this catego♊ry, which is the maximum expression of world motorcycle racing. I am honoured and pleased 💟to be part of this project.

"I wish to thank all of Aprilia Racing and everyone who made this opportunity poss🔜ible. Now I can’t wait to get started!"

Savadori will also race in the 🥃CIV Italian Championship for the Nuova M2 Racing team, with which he won races last season:

"The Italian championship will also be at a very high level this season. Along with Nuova M2 Racing, we’ll be working very hard and passionately to hold the new RSV4 Factory 1100 h𒐪igh.”