Aprilia could join forces with Shaun Muir's SMR team for aꦺ factory-back♔ed return to World Superbike in 2017.

The Italian manufacturer won the World SBK title in 2010, 2012 and 2014 before concentra🐼ting its efforts 🤡on MotoGP.

A last-minute deal with Ioda kept the 🅠RSV4 🙈on the grid this year, with rookie Lorenzo Savadori claiming multiple six top-six finishes on a bike that has had 'zero' development.

Inspired by suಞch results, Aprilia Racing director Romano Albesiano confirmed that the factory is interested in forming a partnership with Shaun Muir's Milwaukee-backed squad.

SMR won the British Superbike title with Tommy Hill (2011) and Josh Brookes (2015) before moving to W൲orld Superbike this season. They currently run Brookes and 🍌Karel Abraham on BMW machinery.

"We are having some talks with Shaun, who I meet in Misano and made a very positive impression. He is a very professional guy," Albesiano told wuqian0821.com.

"The [RSV4] being raced at the moment is the same as last yea꧒r. Zero development. Because we signed with Ioda a week before the season began, so we had no 🎃possibility to make any kind of development.

"But if we can define a p🔯🃏lan quite early, we can make a proper development next year for Shaun and maybe also for Ioda."

Albesiano confirmed that such a partnership would allow Aprilia to concentrate on tꦡhe technical side, while SMR provide the race team.

"It would be good to be there in a way we can afford - from a work force point of view - because most of the workforce is now here in MotoGP. If we can do a good job in World Superbike,🌞 why not?"

A proven, high-profile rider would be needed to help justify 🐎such factory support - and a former Aprilia star is available in the form of Eugene Laverty.

Currently in MotoGP with Aspar, Laverty wo꧑n ten World SBK races for Aprilia and was the 2013 title runner-up. Is Laverty of interest for the project?

"Sure. Eugene is a very good rider and did very well wi♍th Aprilia in the past," Albesiano said. "[The riders] will be a team choice anyway, not just our choice."

Laverty is also in talks with ওYamaha and Ducati about a possible World Superbike return, alongside discussions to stay in MotoGP with Aspar, where he is tenth in the world championship.