Marco Bezzecchi
Gresini Racing have confirmed who will be replacing Fermin Aldeguer at the Thailand Grand Prix after the Spaniard ruled himself out of the season-opener during the team’s 2026 launch event.
Fermin Aldeguer’s sophomore season in the premier class took a hit ahead of pre-season testing after it emerged that the 21-year-old suffered a fractured femur from a training crash in Valencia.
Ducati chief Davide Tardozzi was hoping for Aldeguer to return to action at the Thailand Grand Prix, but the Gresini star ruled himself out of the season-opener just days later.
Following the development, many were left wondering who the Italian satellite team would replace Aldeguer with for the remaining test in Buriram, as well as the race weekend there one week later.
Name every MotoGP rider that will win a race in the 2026 season
Michele Pirro will replace Fermin Aldeguer at the 2026 MotoGP season-opener in Thailand
Ducati test rider Michele Pirro has been given the green light to replace the injury-stricken Aldeguer in Thailand following the Italian’s substitute ride for the factory outfit last year.
Pirro was given the reins to replace Marc Marquez for Borgo Panigale at the rounds in Australia and Malaysia following the title-winner’s injury in Indonesia.
The 39-year-old secured P18 and P17 finishes respectively, before he was replaced by Ducati World Superbikes star Nicolo Bulega for the remaining two rounds of the season.
Aldeguer is hoping to make a return at the second round of the season in Brazil, which is set to take place three weeks after the season opener.
He also identified the following round in Austin as a potential date if he isn’t ready to get back on the bike in Goias.
It’s an unfortunate turn of events for the young Murcian, who had a breakout debut season in MotoGP that saw Aldeguer win the Rookie of the Year award at the end of the term.
He has long been tipped to be the future of the factory Ducati outfit by team chief Luigi Dall’Igna, and his absence from pre-season testing and the opening round of the season may be a big disadvantage for him as the rider market reaches a boiling point.
- READ MORE: Fermin Aldeguer’s ‘disturbing’ injury leads to calls for MotoGP to implement Formula 1 rule
Marc Marquez predicts the 2027 MotoGP grid! Which moves do you disagree with? 🔮
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Marc Marquez predicts Fermin Aldeguer to remain at Gresini for the 2027 MotoGP season
While Aldeguer has been sidelined through injury, the MotoGP rider market for the 2027 campaign has continued to heat up.
Marquez was asked to give his predictions in a social media video posted by official MotoGP channels, and his suggestions have been very interesting.
However, among the big-name moves he is predicting, he believes that Aldeguer will remain as a Gresini rider into his third season as a premier class rider.
He is also under the impression that Alex Marquez, his brother and Aldeguer’s teammate, will become a fully-fledged factory rider for Ducati following his first season with factory support in 2026.
Marquez’s predictions should be taken with a pinch of salt, considering he didn’t place himself anywhere on the grid during the video.
Despite this, some fans have theorised that the seven-time premier class champion is actually hinting at retirement, rather than selling himself short.
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