Aleix Espargaro has announced a MotoGP wildcard race return with Honda.

Esparga൲ro will be in action at Jerez, for the Spanish MotoGP, on April 25-27.

It will be his first race since officially retirin🤪g from racing with Aprilia last year, and becoming a Ho🎐nda test rider.

It will also be Espargaro's꧒ first time racing on a Honda.

Ho﷽nda🅠 will field five riders in Jerez - Espargaro plus factory duo Joan Mir and Luca Marini, and LCR's Johann Zarco and Somkiat Chantra.

Honda and Yamaha test this week

Honda and Yamaha carried out a test this week.

The two days of private testing was at Circuit Ricard🌳o Tormo in Valencia, and featured the manufacturers’ test riders only.

Honda and Yamaha were able to make use of the development concessions rule to refine their packages ahead of the next MotoGP round next weekend in Jerez.

Espargaro, H🃏onda’s n🅰ewest test rider who retired from racing on an Aprilia last year, was back on the RC213V.

He posted to social media showing the starting speed of his m꧒achine.

He was joined by longtime Honda stalwart Stefan Brad𒅌l.

Yamaha had Cal 🅺Crutchlow - who was return♛ing from a long injury lay-off - and Augusto Fernandez testing.

Fernandez has most recently raced for their Pramac team, filling in fo✃r the injured Miguel๊ Oliveira.

Yamaha have 🃏confirmed that they have started testing their V4 engine but didn’t reveal whether 🌼it was tested this week in Valencia by Crutchlow or Fernandez.

For Honda, the two days of tr🧔ack action in Valencia was a welcome opportunity to get a head-start on the next round in Jerez.

Espargaro’s vast experience is another feather in the 🦩cap of the Japanese manufacturer, who are clearly improving on the race track t💜his year.

Romano Albesiano’s input as technical director is another step🎐 in the right direct♌ion.

Johann Zarco finishing fourth in the Qatar MotoGP last ti🎶me out was the latest reminder that Honda are rediscoverin🌸g their form.

And ꧑with Espargaro’s feedback from two days of testing, Honda could be the man⛦ufacturer to keep an eye on in Jerez when racing resumes next weekend.