How Fermin Aldeguer’s first official Ducati GP25 lap times compare to Francesco Bagnaia in Valencia

Add as preferred source on Google

Ducati will be represented by the same six riders during the 2026 MotoGP season. But there has been a key change to the brand’s hierarchy.

Alex Marquez will ride a factory bike at Gresini next year, a reward for his outstanding runner-up finish in this year’s championship. He joins the factory duo of Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, as well as VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio on the latest machinery.

The younger Marquez brother was the lead Ducati at the Valencia test on Tuesday, trialling an early version of the GP26. Di Giannantonio was seventh ahead of newly-signed test rider Nicolo Bulega, with Bagnaia 10th.

Fermin Aldeguer was supposed to get a GP26, but Ducati couldn’t ignore Marquez’s form. Thus, he will graduate to a GP25 instead, as will Franco Morbidelli.

Aldeguer’s adaptation process started well on Tuesday as he set the fourth-fastest time, potentially missing out on top spot due to an error in the final sector. His 1:29.550 was marginally quicker than the 1:29.584 Bagnaia set in qualifying.

How did Toprak Razgatlioglu get on in his first official MotoGP test?

Only Ducati know the exact specification the two riders were using, and the usual caveats of differing run plans, lap time optimisation and track conditions apply. But Aldeguer, MotoGP’s Rookie of the Year, has started his campaign for a 2027 factory seat strongly.

• READ MORE: Fermin Aldeguer makes ‘100% sure’ claim as he discusses his chances of joining Ducati factory team

Toprak Razgatlioglu was the centre of attention as he completed his first public test since abdicating the World Superbikes throne for a Pramac ride. He was 18th on the V4-powered Yamaha, a tenth quicker than Alex Rins and two clear of teammate Jack Miller.

Fabio Quartararo – the ultimate benchmark for the Turkish superstar – was still seven-tenths up the road. El Diablo is unlikely to be satisfied with 15th as he considers his future.

Fellow rookie Diogo Moreira was 21st for LCR. The Moto2 champion was nine-tenths off the qualifying time set by predecessor Somkiat Chantra, but should be closer to the pace in Malaysia in January.

Finally, VR46 stand-in Celestino Vietti propped up the order on a 1:32.511, just over three seconds off the ultimate pace. Vietti deputised for Morbidelli, who was injured at the season finale.

MotoGP Valencia test lap times