Imagine a young rider, barely out of his teens, stepping into the high-octane world of MotoGP with a satellite bike and a reputation that’s both promising and uncertain. That’s Fermin Aldeguer, the Gresini rider who’s now boldly staking his claim for a factory Ducati seat. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a rookie with a mixed track record truly rise to the ranks of MotoGP’s elite? Let’s dive in.
When Aldeguer made the leap to MotoGP this year, expectations were a mixed bag. His stunning string of victories at the end of the 2023 Moto2 season had earned him an early contract, but his final year in the intermediate class—his first on Pirelli tires—left much to be desired. Yes, he improved as he adapted to the new rubber, but he was still only the third-best rider on a Boscoscuro chassis. So, when he entered MotoGP, the mood was cautiously optimistic. Many viewed 2025 as a learning year, not one for major breakthroughs. And this is the part most people miss: Aldeguer’s journey wasn’t about immediate glory but about laying the groundwork for something bigger.
The first two rounds of his rookie campaign were unremarkable, but in Austin, everything changed. Starting 12th on the grid, Aldeguer surged into the top 10 and kept climbing. By lap 16, he was fifth, hot on the heels of Pramac’s Franco Morbidelli. A mistake at Turn 15 ended his race prematurely, but his charge was undeniable. As Aldeguer himself reflected in Sepang, ‘The expectations for me changed a lot during the season. Maybe we didn’t start in the best way, but we had a good feeling and a good pace. Step by step, we are arriving at the top.’
Austin was his breakthrough. For the first time, he made a straight pass to Q2 on Friday. In the race, he felt ‘super good,’ closing the gap on Morbidelli before his crash. ‘This was the click for me,’ he said. One of Aldeguer’s standout traits this season has been his late-race pace, reminiscent of Enea Bastianini’s closing-stage heroics on the factory Ducati. This was on full display at the Austrian GP, where he recovered from eighth on the opening lap to finish just over a second behind Marc Marquez.
‘Honestly, it’s difficult to say where the late-race pace comes from,’ Aldeguer admitted. ‘But I always felt good with the used tire. Even in Moto2, I managed the last laps well. I don’t know if it’s my riding style or throttle control, but I always feel better in the final stages.’ Here’s the kicker: while his late-race strength is a weapon, Aldeguer’s qualifying performance often forces him to charge through the field. In eight out of 20 rounds, he’s started outside the top 10—a weakness he and his crew chief, Frankie Carchedi, are determined to address.
When Aldeguer does qualify well, the results speak for themselves. His front-row start at the Indonesian Grand Prix turned into his maiden MotoGP victory, showcasing improved racecraft and maturity. Yet, crashes in Jerez, Assen, and Sepang remind us there’s still room to grow. ‘In some races, we were faster and stronger than the results,’ he admitted. ‘It’s a good opportunity to take experience and keep improving.’
Looking ahead, Aldeguer’s future seems bright, but the path to a factory Ducati seat is fraught with challenges. Will there even be a vacancy in 2027? Marc Marquez is in top form, and Francesco Bagnaia, despite a patchy season, still has Ducati’s backing. Even if a seat opens up, Aldeguer will face fierce competition, including from his own teammate, Alex Marquez, who’s been on fire in 2025. Here’s the question: Can Aldeguer prove he’s the better long-term bet than the younger Marquez? His two-plus-two deal with Ducati keeps him in the running until 2028, but it all hinges on results.
As Aldeguer puts it, ‘If Ducati sees that I’m ready to go, they will give me a seat. Otherwise, we’ll stay at Gresini.’ His 2026 performance, especially against Alex Marquez, will be the ultimate test. Will he rise to the challenge, or will he remain a promising rookie? Only time will tell. What do you think? Is Aldeguer factory material, or is he still a few seasons away? Let us know in the comments!
