Marco Bezzecchi
Valentino Rossi was back in action on a MotoGP circuit this week. Together with several current riders, he took part in a promotional event at Mugello.
Rossi won nine times at Mugello across the Grand Prix classes. That makes it his joint-third most successful circuit ever behind Barcelona and Assen, though he took his last victory at the Italian venue back in 2008.
Also present was Fermin Aldeguer, a rookie for Gresini. The Spaniard recently delivered a breakout performance by finishing second at the Austrian Grand Prix, a result that won him the Rider of the Day award.
Marc Marquez thinks that Aldeguer will be the ‘future’ of MotoGP, along with Jorge Martin and fellow youngster Pedro Acosta. It’s not out of the question that they could be teammates at the factory Ducati squad as early as 2027.
Fermin Aldeguer comfortably faster than Valentino Rossi at Mugello
A report from Speedweek offers more details about the event, which was organised by racing equipment manufacturer Dainese. Rossi, one of their ambassadors, used a ‘pre-prepared’ Yamaha R1.
Franco Morbidelli and Fabio di Giannantonio, his VR46 duo, rode Ducati Panigale bikes, as did Aldeguer. Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi, a graduate of Rossi’s academy, also attended, along with half-brother Luca Marini (Honda) and series legend Andrea Iannone.
It was Aldeguer who set the best lap time, reaching the 1:50s. For reference, Marquez’s pole time at the Italian GP earlier this year was a 1:44.169, so the difference was broadly in line with expectations.
Still, it’s unknown how much the riders were pushing, with nothing riding on their times. Morbidelli was second-fastest, with Bezzecchi fourth, Marini fifth and Iannone sixth.
Rossi, a seven-time premier-class champion, placed seventh, 1.9 seconds off Aldeguer’s pace. But he did rank above Di Giannantonio and a number of Moto2/Moto3 participants.
Will Valentino Rossi regret his Fermin Aldeguer decision?
Intriguingly, recent reports suggested that Rossi had shunned Aldeguer for his 2026 rider line-up. The 20-year-old is apparently required to ride a factory bike next year.
However, Rossi has decided to renew Morbidelli’s contract instead, an outcome that never really seemed in doubt. The more experienced rider is 37 points ahead in the championship.
Aesthetically, Aldeguer reminds Jorge Lorenzo of Iannone. The former Suzuki rider only won one race at the highest level.
Luigi Dall’Igna has higher expectations, openly acknowledging that Aldeguer will wear Ducati red ‘sooner or later’. He’s scored two Sprint podiums to go along with a second and a third in Sunday races.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
