Marco Bezzecchi
Fermin Aldeguer has already suffered a setback for the 2026 MotoGP season before it’s even begun after sustaining a fractured femur in a training incident on Thursday.
Several MotoGP riders congregated at the Aspar circuit in Valencia for a behind-closed-doors training session atop smaller-engined bikes.
As Marc Marquez made his first appearance on a bike since his injury during the previous campaign, Fermin Aldeguer suffered a highside crash at turn one, which resulted in a fractured left femur for the young Spaniard.
He was quickly taken to Barcelona for surgery, with no further details about his recovery period being touted.
Pedro Acosta suffered a similar injury in 2022 and was out for around seven weeks before making a return to full fitness.
- READ MORE: Frankie Carchedi knows where Fermin Aldeguer is ‘better’ than Marc Marquez after working with both
Who should replace Fermin Aldeguer if he misses 2026 pre-season testing?
Fermin Aldeguer’s injury is a significant blow to his hopes of securing a factory Ducati seat
While there is never a good time to suffer such an injury setback, the timing of Aldeguer’s blow really couldn’t have come at a more decisive period during his career.
The MotoGP rider market for 2027 is already heating up, and Aldeguer has had his eye on a factory Ducati seat ever since his promotion to the premier class ahead of the 2025 campaign.
With the 20-year-old heading into his sophomore season in MotoGP this year, it was understood that he would be building upon an impressive debut campaign that saw the Gresini star claim a maiden victory on his way to the rookie of the year crown.
However, it was also known that we would really see his capabilities in MotoGP, given that he would be riding atop the notoriously difficult Ducati GP25.
Francesco Bagnaia had the worst season of his Ducati career on the 2025-spec bike last season, and it was one of the leading factors for why the Italian rider’s future is now uncertain.
If Aldeguer’s rehabilitation period surpasses MotoGP’s pre-season tests, then we may start to see the youngster’s sophomore campaign start to unravel before it gets properly underway.
- READ MORE: Ducati are giving Fermin Aldeguer the ‘greatest recognition’ for what he did against Pedro Acosta
Fermin Aldeguer had a better 2025 MotoGP season than Pedro Acosta, prove me wrong
Ducati have a lot of rider options for the 2027 MotoGP season
Another factor that certainly won’t help Aldeguer’s chances of securing a spot at Borgo Panigale is the high level of competition that is also gunning for a seat there.
As the most successful constructor of the current decade, Ducati have the pick of the bunch in terms of who they would want to serve as their star riders for 2027.
Aldeguer knows that Ducati won’t settle for a mediocre talent, so a poor campaign this season would see his chances of securing a factory ride go up in smoke.
The Spaniard is just one of Ducati’s many options for a 2027 seat.
He would have to make sure that he outperforms each of Fabio Quartararo, Pedro Acosta, Alex Marquez and even Francesco Bagnaia to ensure that he is donning the famous red overalls.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
