Five-time world champion, Jorge Lorenzo is rumoured to return to the manufacturer he claimed his maiden title with as rumours pick up around him and Aprilia.

Claiming his maiden world title in 2006 with Aprilia, Jorge Lorenzo is rumoured to return to the Noale manufacturer, replacing Bradley Smith and Lorenzo Savadori as their test riders.

Smith, who was drafted in to replace Iannone in the team for 2020, has raced his final race of the year in black, red and green, after Massimo Rivola (Aprilia Racing CEO) announced that former World Superbike star, Savadori would replace the Brit.

Since retiring from MotoGP action in 2019, Jorge Lorenzo has been under the blue banner once again, joining Yamaha as their official test rider. However, as COVID swept through the world, no testing between Lorenzo and Yamaha have got underway, delaying their test programs to protect their staff. Lorenzo first got back on the YZR-M1 in Sepang but had to wait just over eight months before returning to action with a two-day test in Portimao.

However, rumours now suggest that Lorenzo will leave Yamaha, making way for current Ducati rider, Andrea Dovizioso, who is expected to announce his future “in the coming days or weeks,” expected to be his relationship revival with the Iwata factory.

According to Speedweek, Lorenzo however already has an Aprilia contract in his pocket for 2021, this not being confirmed or denied by both parties.

Featured images: MotoGP.com