Aprilia and BMW to contest MotoGP?

When the 2012 MotoGP season begins, a new era will commence as the regulations change again, with new rules stating that engines must be four-cylinders, up to 1000cc.

More teams are expected to participate in the top category, with a new class "Claiming Rule Teams" (CRT) allowed to use production engines in a bid to reduce costs and increase the number of bikes of the grid.

There's already been news that some Moto2 teams may try their luck in the top class, using equipment such as the BMW S 1000 RR engine, but on a recent post on his website, Wayne Gardner claimed that Aprilia and BMW will enter MotoGP in 2012.

The 1987 500cc world champion said: "Now, you won't have read this anywhere else, but it was also confirmed to me by Honda representatives that Aprilia and BMW will definitely be participating in MotoGP from 2012. That's huge news. It already looks like the regulation changes have brought about the desired effect – more bikes on the MotoGP grid."

With a handful of CRTs adding to the grid, and the potential of Aprilia and BMW joining the fray of what could be 30 or so bikes in the paddock, the 2012 MotoGP season will take a very different shape to what we've been used to.

However it should be noted that Aprilia has not had much luck in MotoGP, fielding the RS3 Cube (pictured) three-cylinder race bike in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Rider Colin Edwards said the bike was "born bad," and it will be interesting to see if Aprilia is ready to make the return.

Also in his musings, Gardner confirmed that Honda is indeed developing V4 sports bikes.

As Honda forges ahead with its V4 program, introducing new models like the Crossrunner V4 adventure/naked bike , the chances of more V4-engined production bikes increases.

Though Honda sources have recently suggested that a V4 production sports bike is not on the cards, Gardner revealed that a V4-powered Fireblade is in the offing: "…expect your CBR Fireblade to turn in a V4 very soon."

"While I was in Europe, I got talking to some Honda officials who confirmed to me that they are really looking forward to the new 1,000cc MotoGP category. They also said they'll be building sports bike in the future with V4 engines so they can compete in MotoGP with similar V4 1000," Gardner revealed on his website.

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