Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez’s dominant start to the season and his Ducati career has continued at the Grand Prix of the Americas after securing his latest pole position in Austin, Texas.
The 32-year-old has made the Circuit of the Americas a playground since Marquez won the 2013 Americas Grand Prix for his first win in MotoGP. Pole position in 2025 is his eighth over 11 races in Texas, and Marquez will hope to turn it into the Ducati rider’s eighth win, as well.
Securing pole at COTA also continues Marquez’s dominant start to the 2025 MotoGP season after starting P1 on the grid in Thailand and Argentina, where the Spaniard won the Sprints and Grands Prix. But Michael Laverty does not feel all riders are happy after what he heard.
Michael Laverty urges Fermin Aldeguer to ‘be realistic’ about his rookie MotoGP season
Laverty feels Gresini rookie Fermin Aldeguer is ‘not happy’ after listening to the 19-year-old at the Americas GP. Aldeguer has not enjoyed a great start to his maiden season in MotoGP after only coming 13th at the Thailand GP before failing to score a point in Argentina in P16.
The Spaniard has shown some signs of promise in Texas, having automatically advanced into Q2. But Aldeguer failed to make use of his progression, as the factory Ducati-contracted ace ended the session in P12 and last. He also fell exiting the first corner amid an early push lap.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Fermin Aldeguer with his rise to MotoGP and height
Laverty appreciated Aldeguer’s pace in practice for the Americas GP, but has also urged the Spaniard to ‘be patient’ and not build his expectations too high. While some rookies can hit the ground running like Marquez, Aldeguer must ‘be realistic’ after replacing his compatriot.
“I listen to Fermin talk and he’s not happy,” Laverty said on TNT Sports 2 (29/03, 16:19).” He wants to be right at the front. As a rookie, you’ve got to be realistic. But he’s punching above his weight this weekend, looked good yesterday.
“I love Aldeguer’s optimism but sometimes you have to be a little bit patient. He’s on a good bike but he’s come in to fill a hot seat that was Marc Marquez’s spot.
“You’re not going to come in and rattle feathers right away. Some people do, but I think Aldeguer has to be a little patient. But he’s looking good.”
Fermin Aldeguer must find consistency to fulfil his MotoGP rookie ambitions
Aldeguer’s Gresini data has drawn comparisons to Marquez’s from last season when the six-time MotoGP riders’ champion raced for the Faenza-based team. Yet inconsistency has been Aldeguer’s main issue since stepping up from Moto2, as well as managing his Michelin tyres.
Juggling tyre wear and the heat held Aldeguer back on debut at the Thai GP as he struggled to maintain his early pace. The Spaniard also then merited his first penalty in MotoGP at the Argentina GP after taking out Miguel Oliveira on Lap 4 of the Sprint Race trying an overtake.
The long lap penalty meant his hopes for the Argentina GP were limited and Aldeguer failed to show much promise. He will now try to use a P12 start at the Americas GP to show more, even if Laverty feels Aldeguer should be patient and strive to build into his rookie campaign.
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