Marco Bezzecchi
Fermin Aldeguer was unable to attend Gresini Racing’s 2026 launch event for the upcoming MotoGP season, but the Spaniard made an appearance via a video link and touched upon a potential return date.
After a dazzling rookie campaign in the premier class that saw him net the Rookie of the Year title, Fermin Aldeguer’s sophomore MotoGP season hit a roadblock before it even started.
An accident in training saw Aldeguer suffer a fractured femur, and the young Spaniard has been in recovery since.
Several dates for his return have since been speculated on, with Ducati chief Davide Tardozzi setting a ‘realistic’ date of the 2026 season-opener for Aldeguer’s comeback at the Italian constructor’s season launch event.
However, the Gresini star has since broken his silence on the matter, and it sounds like the Thailand Grand Prix is out of the question for him.
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Fermin Aldeguer rules himself out of 2026 MotoGP season-opener, eyes Brazil GP at the earliest
During Gresini Racing’s 2026 MotoGP season launch event, Aldeguer was asked how his recovery is progressing by host Jack Appleyard.
The 21-year-old, who appeared via a video link, said, “I feel better every day and I am getting closer to the moment I can get back on the bike. For now, though, I have to stay home and work on my recovery.”
It had already been revealed that an Aldeguer return for MotoGP’s pre-season tests was ‘impossible’, and the Murcian native shed some more light on when we can expect to see him return to the race track.
He added, “I hope to return as soon as possible. At this moment, I can’t say one date or race for sure; it’s still uncertain. I have goals – possibly Brazil or Austin.
“But I have to wait and see how my leg feels and what the further examinations reveal. Only then can I come back.”
With Aldeguer now ruling himself out of the first race of the season at the very least, it begs the question of who Gresini will replace the reigning rookie of the year with.
It has led to calls for MotoGP to implement an F1-style rule where each team has three permanent riders on their roster: two in the full-time role, while another serves as a reserve.
At this moment in time, it is mainly the factory outfits that employ a reserve rider. This is mainly due to the testing duties that they are called upon to do. Naturally, at a satellite team, there is no demand for this.
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Who could replace Fermin Aldeguer at Gresini for the 2026 MotoGP season-opener?
As the test rider for the factory Ducati team, Michele Pirro will most likely be the first name on the list for Gresini to contact regarding a substitute ride.
The Italian rider took over from Marc Marquez last season during the first two races of the world champion’s absence, before Nicolo Bulega was called upon for the following two rounds.
Bulega may also be a name in the hat that Gresini pulls their replacement for Aldeguer out of.
The first round of the MotoGP season doesn’t clash with his priority of the World Superbikes championship, but the added event to his already busy schedule may not be on the agenda for him.
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