Marco Bezzecchi
Fermin Aldeguer missed the beginning of the 2026 MotoGP season through injury, but a source close to the Gresini star has issued an update on his condition after taking part in a private test ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
After an impressive season that saw him claim the Rookie of the Year title, Fermin Aldeguer’s 2026 MotoGP campaign was thrown into jeopardy after the 20-year-old suffered a fractured femur as a result of a crash in his pre-season preparations.
Despite hopes of a return for the season-opener, Fermin Aldeguer ruled himself out of contention for the Thailand Grand Prix, with Ducati test rider Michele Pirro taking the reins of his prototype as a replacement.
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The 39-year-old struggled in racing conditions, taking the chequered flag in last place of the finishing riders and over a second off the pace of Marco Bezzecchi out in front.
It has since been reported that Pirro is nearing his tenure as Borgo Panigale’s main test rider, with former MotoGP rider Andrea Iannone expected to fill the role for Ducati.
- READ MORE: Who is Gresini MotoGP rider Fermin Aldeguer? Everything you need to know from career stats to height
‘Sources close’ to Fermin Aldeguer expect him to race in Brazil without any issues
After the first round of the 2026 campaign concluded, it was reported that Aldeguer would be taking part in a private test during the three-week break in between race weekends in order to assess his readiness for a return to action.
According to a recent report by Motosport Espana, Aldeguer took a ‘crucial step forward’ during the day of training, which has been backed up by a source close to the young Spaniard.
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They said, “Training went very well, he didn’t have much pain, and the sensations were very, very good. So everything points to him being able to race in Brazil without any problems.”
The full day of training at the Yepes Circuit, located on the outskirts of Murcia, consisted of clocking in some mileage on two street-legal superbikes, one of which was the Yamaha that he suffered the crash with in January.
Aldeguer will now have to travel to Goiania with the rest of the grid next week and pass a medical examination before he is cleared to take part in the race weekend, over two months after his initial fall.
It marks a much speedier recovery than what was first anticipated, with a fractured femur usually requiring a rehabilitation period of ‘four to six months’ under normal circumstances.
Ducati extended Fermin Aldeguer’s contract during his injury layoff
During his tenure on the sidelines, the 20-year-old received a boost in morale following Ducati pulling the trigger on a contract extension for Aldeguer.
The new deal will see Aldeguer continue to receive factory support from Borgo Panigale until the end of 2028.
By that time, Aldeguer will no doubt expect to be on factory machinery after he narrowly missed out on a 2026-spec Ducati prototype following the constructor’s decision to reward Gresini teammate Alex Marquez with one instead.
Pedro Acosta looks to have beaten him to a factory seat for 2027, with the current KTM star reported to have finalised an agreement to join the Bologna Bullets in MotoGP’s new era of regulations.
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