Sam Lowes is being linked with an Aprilia MotoGP seat for 2016.

Lowes joined grand prix last season as the reigning World Supersport champion and is the only front-running Speed Up rider in the Kalex-dominated Moto2 class.

The Englishman currently holds third in the standings, having impressed the paddock by claiming his first podiums, poles and race win so far this year.

Many, including Speedweek, are now connecting the 24-year-old with the RS-GP ride vacated by Marco Melandri - team-mate Alvaro Bautista being in the first year of a two-year Aprilia deal.

Factory test rider Michael Laverty replaced Melandri in Germany and could well keep the seat for the rest of this season.

2016 will see Aprilia debut an all-new prototype, the current machine still being heavily based on its RSV4 Superbike. MotoGP is also switching to a single ECU and Michelin tyres next season.

Sam, twin brother of WSBK racer Alex, wouldn't be the first English star given a MotoGP debut with Aprilia - the Italian factory signed Shane Byrne, straight from BSB, in 2004.