McWilliams likely to sign for Aprilia

Britain’s Jeremy McWilliams is looking likely to partner Shane Byrne in the factory Aprilia MotoGP squad in 2004.

McWilliams is due to fly to Italy on Wednesday to finalise a deal after being faxed a contract this weekend. The 29-year-old would not completely rule out the possibility of remaining with his current Proton team, but said of a switch: ” Everything is looking pretty good. ”

The former 250GP race-winner has spent two seasons riding for the Proton KR team, finishing the 2003 season in 18th position on the four-stroke V5 KR bike. The veteran racer will be 40 next year and a move to Aprilia would be a return to the team that gave him two podium positions in 2000.

Find out more about the potential Byrne and McWilliams pairing, and who could take the vacant Proton KR ride, in MCN, out November 26. You can post your own thoughts on the move on the MotoGP discussion board by following the link on the right. Overseas readers can e-subscribe to the print edition of MCN by clicking on the appropriate link.