Aprilia could join forces with Shaun Muir's SMR team for a factory-backed returℱn to World Superbike in 2017.

The Italian manufacturer won the World SBK title in 2010, 201ౠ2 and 2014 before concentrating its efforts on Mot💮oGP.

A last-minute deal with Ioda kept the RSV4 on the grid this year, with roo꧃kie Lorenzo Savadori claiming multiple six top-six finishes on a bike that has had 'zero' development.

Inspired by such results, Aprilia Racing director 🔯Romano Albesiano confirmed that the factory is interested in forming a partnership with Shaun Muir's Milwaukee-backed squad.

SMR won the British Superbike title with Tommy Hill (2011) and Josh Brookes (2015) before moving to World Superbik🃏e this season. They currently run Brookes and Karel Abraham on BMW machinery.

"We are having some talks with Shaun, who I meet in Misano and made a very positive impression. He is a very professional guy," Albesiano told mahbx.com.

"The [RSV4] being raced at the moment is the same as last y✃ear. Zero development. Because we signed with Ioda a we𒉰ek before the season began, so we had no possibility to make any kind of development.

"But if we can define a plan quite early, we can ma𝔍ke aไ proper development next year for Shaun and maybe also for Ioda."

🥂Albesiano confirmed that such a partnership would allow Aprilia to concꦦentrate on the technical side, while SMR provide the race team.

"It would be good to be there in a way we can afford - from a work force point of view - because most of the workforce is n♋ow here in MotoGP. If we can do a good job in World Superbike, why not?"

A proven, 💟high-profile rider would be needed to help justify such factory support - and a former Aprilia star is available in the form of Eugene Laverty.

Currently in MotoGP with Aspar, Laverty won ten World SBK races for Aprilia and was the 2𒅌013 title runner-up. Is Laverty of ♉interest for the project?

"Sure. Eugene is a very goo🉐d rider and did very well with Aprilia in the past,♊" Albesiano said. "[The riders] will be a team choice anyway, not just our choice."

Laverty is also in talks with Yamaha and Ducat💜i about a possible World Superbike return, alongside discussions to stay in MotoGP with Aspar, where he is tenth in the world championship.