Marco Bezzecchi
Fermin Aldeguer was, at the end of last year, viewed as the favourite for a 2027 factory Ducati seat if Francesco Bagnaia moved on. But now that spot is set to go to Pedro Acosta instead.
As late as November, during MotoGP’s post-season test in Valencia, Matt Birt was saying that Aldeguer was ‘most likely’ to replace Bagnaia.
But right at the start of 2026, Aldeguer broke his femur in a training crash. The injury will keep him out of not only pre-season testing, but also the Thai Grand Prix.
Fill in the blank: Fermin Aldeguer will win ___ MotoGP titles in his career.
Only days after the injury, it was reported that Ducati had removed Aldeguer from their shortlist for 2027.
The consensus is that Acosta has agreed a deal with Ducati, a painful development for Aldeguer given the well-documented rivalry between the two Murcians.
Fermin Aldeguer could be ‘lost’ if Ducati sign Pedro Acosta
Gresini rider Aldeguer is on a Ducati contract, but despite his impressive performances as a rookie, the Borgo Panigale management still seem to have some reservations.
Indeed, Aldeguer was denied factory equipment for 2026. The plan was to upgrade the youngster’s bike, but instead teammate Alex Marquez was rewarded for a runner-up finish.
Aldeguer’s Rookie of the Year award was largely a reflection of Ducati’s superiority – Ai Ogura and Somkiat Chantra were riding slower motorcycles at Trackhouse Aprilia and LCR Honda – but he still surpassed expectations by winning his first race in Thailand and scoring six podiums.
Predict the order of the Ducati riders in the 2026 MotoGP standings
According to Speedweek, it will be ‘difficult’ for Ducati to retain Aldeguer if they sign Acosta. He could bide his time for the ‘post-Marquez era’, when there will be another vacancy, and work towards ‘technical parity’ in the meantime.
But if Aldeguer feels he has been snubbed, then there is a ‘risk’ that he will be ‘lost’. Other factories are bound to be keeping an eye on the situation.
An internal transfer remains most likely for Fermin Aldeguer in 2027
Luigi Dall’Igna has called Aldeguer the ‘future’ of Ducati, so he will fight hard to keep him, even if the ultimate incentive of a red bike is no longer available.
The next-best thing for Aldeguer may be a transfer to VR46, the second-in-command Ducati team.
Valentino Rossi is keen on Aldeguer, and factory opportunities are likely to be scarce. Bagnaia could join Yamaha alongside Jorge Martin, while Alex Marquez is headed to KTM to become Maverick Vinales’ teammate.
Aprilia want Enea Bastianini to partner the already-confirmed Marco Bezzecchi, and while there could be an opening at Honda, there have been no links between Aldeguer and the Japanese manufacturer up to this point.
Jack Appleyard’s 2027 MotoGP grid prediction has Aldeguer at VR46 next to Ducati test rider and World Superbike star Nicolo Bulega, with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Joan Mir forming an all-new Gresini line-up.
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