Marco Bezzecchi
Fermin Aldeguer is embarking on his debut MotoGP season with Gresini in 2025 after making the step up from Moto2.
The Spaniard finished fifth in the intermediate class last season as Ai Ogura won the title. Both have stepped up to MotoGP alongside Somkiat Chantra, racing with Gresini, Trackhouse and LCR Honda respectively.
Aldeguer is the youngest rider on the grid this season as he replaces six-time champion Marc Marquez at the Faenza-based team. The 19-year-old will partner with Marquez’s brother Alex Marquez as he rides the GP24 in 2025.
The Ducati bike won 16 out of 20 races last season and guided Jorge Martin to his maiden title. Despite it now being a year old, the machine has proven to be competitive and could challenge for race wins.
Although it may be too soon for Aldeguer to claim a victory in the premier class. The Spaniard finished 13th on his debut for Gresini at the Thailand Grand Prix – but his first race could have come sooner than that.
Fermin Aldeguer rejected a contract from VR46 in 2024 before signing with Gresini
Ahead of the 2024 season, Aldeguer was being linked with VR46 to replace Luca Marini. The seat ended up going to Fabio Di Giannantonio – who is now on the factory Ducati bike alongside Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.
Speaking with LS2 Europe, the Spaniard said he had received a ‘very good’ offer from Valentino Rossi’s team, but turned it down in fear of not knowing what could happen in the future during his Moto2 campaign.
“They already gave it to me in 2023 after winning the second or third consecutive [race], to get on the 2024 in the VR46,” he said.
“When they told me, that is, I didn’t think about it. I wanted to, because it was like… It happened to me in 2021, it was an opportunity that was not missed, you know if it was going to happen again so you try to catch it.
“I was trying to grab you and whatever came out. But they knew how to control us, both me and Hector. They offered us very good things, better, like signing an official contract with Ducati before the season started.
“And I told them: ‘Man, having this, how am I going to do another season in Moto2 without knowing what can happen?’ Because yes, I am winning now, but the following year they changed the tyres.
“I said: ‘Well, I have a MotoGP contract and I’m not going to take it because you do not want or because you don’t let me’. They said to me: ‘Stay calm, in 2025 you will be in MotoGP.”
Frankie Carchedi compares Fermin Aldeguer to Marc Marquez after seeing his data
Naturally, having only raced in one Grand Prix in MotoGP, Gresini’s teenage talent is far from the finished product. Aldeguer is looking to improve his braking in his step up to the premier class.
But that has not stopped Frankie Carchedi from comparing Aldeguer to Marquez after looking at his data. The Brit worked with the six-time champion last year at Gresini – and he has already noticed some similarities with his new rider in 2025.
Marquez has spoken to Aldeguer about tyre management and riding style ahead of this season. The 19-year-old has a superb reference to learn from in his fellow compatriot.
The teenager still has a long way to go in his MotoGP career. But Gresini could have a great talent on their hands when he finds his feet in the premier class.
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