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Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro back for Valencia MotoGP after injury

Aleix Espargaro will return to MotoGP action for this weekend's season finale at Valencia, as Aprilia adopts a special (RED) colour scheme at the event for the second straight year.

Espargaro had been forced to miss the previous race at Sepang due to the hand injury he picked up in a crash at Phillip Island and consequent surgery.

But, pending being passed fit by Valencia circuit doctors on Thursday, Espargaro will be back for the final race of the season and the two days of post-season testing that follow it.

"I can't wait to get back in the saddle," said Espargaro. "I have missed the RS-GP.

"I was sorry to miss the Malaysia round due to the injury. Unfortunately ours is a dangerous sport and these things can happen.

"I am confident. My hand is better and despite the fact that there is still some pain, I will give 100%. The entire team and I deserve to finish this season well.

"We have worked hard and we want to tackle preparation for 2018 with the right confidence."

Espargaro and team-mate Sam Lowes will both sport the colours of AIDS charity (RED), similar to the livery Aprilia ran in last year's Valencia race.

Aprilia is tied on 64 points with KTM for fifth in the manufacturers' standings, making Valencia the deciding race in the battle to avoid finishing bottom of the table.

Zdroj: autosport.com