De Puniet, Espargaro join Aspar

Aspar has signed Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaro for its 2012 MotoGP line-up, when it will run Aprilia-powered CRT bikes. Jorge 'Aspar' Martinez's ultra-successful lower-category team has used customer Ducatis for the first two years of its MotoGP programme, but is switching to the new lower-technology Claiming Rule Teams class for next season. De Puniet has been in MotoGP since 2006, initially with the factory Kawasaki team, then LCR Honda, before a single season with Pramac Ducati this year.

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