Marco Bezzecchi
Tech3 finally showed signs of performance in the 2025 MotoGP season in Qatar through Maverick Vinales.
The Spaniard qualified P6 at Lusail and mixed with the Ducatis during Sunday’s race. Vinales found impressive speed on his RC16 as he breezed into the lead at one stage.
Since moving from Aprilia, the 30-year-old has been struggling to adapt to life at KTM, languishing in the midfield on a difficult bike to handle. Qatar was an encouraging step forward as it proved the RC16 had performance – but it did not last long.
Vinales had to let Marc Marquez past for the lead due to a tyre pressure issue, crossing the line second. After the race, he was hit with a 16-second penalty, demoting him to 14th.
MotoGP fans and Pedro Acosta were furious with the decision as Vinales was denied his first podium for Tech3. With the Spaniard’s demotion, it gave Ducati another podium lock-out.
The manufacturer has taken the top three spots in every race thus far in 2025. Johann Zarco finished fourth for Honda in Qatar behind Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia and Franco Morbidelli, while Fermin Aldeguer locked out the top five for Ducati.
Herve Poncharal tips his hat to Fermin Aldeguer for his ‘stratospheric speed’
The 20-year-old had a quiet start to life in MotoGP. Aldeguer had big shows to fill as he replaced Marquez at Gresini.
Finishing 13th in Thailand and 16th in Argentina, the Spaniard initially struggled to find performance in the premier class. But something clicked in Austin as he began to mix at the front, although he crashed out of the race in the tricky conditions.
Qatar was a brilliant weekend for Aldeguer. Qualifying P8, he finished an incredible fourth in the Sprint after passing Fabio Quartararo on the final corner.
MotoGP fans loved Aldeguer’s ‘Marc-esque’ performance, which he backed up with a fifth place finish on Sunday. Neil Hodgson lauded Aldeguer as a super talent – he was not the only one to heap praise on the Gresini rider.
Speaking with Paddock GP, Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal tipped his hat to the 20-year-old. He has been impressed by the ‘stratospheric speed’ he is beginning to show.
He said: “What we can also say is that the Ducatis are incredibly efficient in all track conditions, on all tracks, and in the hands of all riders, since the one who was a little bit the least efficient at the beginning of the season, who was the rookie, is now doing incredible races.
“Hats off to him because he has progressed at a stratospheric speed, Fermin Aldeguer! And that’s why Maverick Vinales’ performance was incredible, because since the beginning of the season, I don’t think there has ever been a podium that wasn’t 100% Ducati, whether in the sprints or in the races.
“Well, that would have been the first, unfortunately we were lacking a bit of air,” he added as he laughed off Vinales’ penalty.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Fermin Aldeguer with his rise to MotoGP and height
Fermin Aldeguer has already exceeded expectations at Ducati in 2025
As a rookie in MotoGP, not much would have been expected from the Spaniard in 2025. In fact, Luigi Dall’Igna told Aldeguer it was fine to finish last, as long as he took his time and learned.
This makes his recent performances all the more impressive. Battling with champions such as Quartararo, the Gresini rider is certainly making a name for himself.
Davide Tardozzi says Aldeguer is ‘the future’ of MotoGP. Naturally, at just 20, he has a long way to go before he can become champion, but early signs have been encouraging.
Aldeguer has been using Ducati riders’ data to improve his braking. Having Marquez and Bagnaia to learn from is definitely paying off.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
