Moto⛄2 star Dominique Aegerter began his💞 'Kawasaki' MotoGP test at Jerez on Monday.

Aegerter had initially d♏escribed the outing as a MotoGP test on a "prototype", the invite for which "came directly from the [Kawa🍎saki] factory".

That prompted speculation that K✤awasaki is considering a factory return to the premier-class, which it left at the end of 2009.

However it seems the test is being conducted by tuning-company Akira, which previously supplied ZX-10R-based engines for 𝕴the Avintia MotoGP team.

Aegerter worked 🐭with Akira before, making his MotoGP debut with Avi🍌ntia at last June's Catalunya test.

However it is unclear why Akira is continuing to invest time, money 🐲and effort into its MotoGP project - unless the project has some kind of Kawasaki backing.

With the last of the struggling CRT bikes now gone, this year's MotoGP line-up will consist entirely of factoꦇry-ma🔜de prototypes from Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, Suzuki and Aprilia. In Avintia's case, they have moved both riders to Ducati machinery.

According to Speedweek.com, Aegerter's Jerez lap time꧃s are "much too slow", largely due to the use of Michelin tyres from the Spanish championship. Aegerter also said that he has "no idea" what Akira has planned for the bike, which featur🎃es a new chassis and engine.

Aegerter is sharing the 𒁏Jerez circuit with WSBK riders, including the Kawasaki Racing Team, so lots of factory engineers are nearby... The Swiss, whose Technomag team is switching from ⭕Suter to Kalex in Moto2, signalled his big-bike potential with a podium finish at last year's Suzuka 8 hours.

Hector Barbera 🐭claimed Kawasaki pledged factory support for the Avintia team last season. The Spaniard said he felt "fooled" when the limited developments re🌱ceived instead came from Akira.