Marco Bezzecchi
Fabio Di Giannantonio will no doubt prove to be a huge loss for VR46 in 2027. However, Fermin Aldeguer is already proving that Valentino Rossi pulled off a masterstroke by signing him.
The Spaniard’s move to VR46 was a surprise to the MotoGP paddock, no less than to his current team, Gresini. Team boss Nadia Padovani was furious with Ducati for moving Aldeguer to the other satellite team, especially with Alex Marquez leaving as well.
It might have been Rossi’s intention to partner the 2025 Rookie of the Year with Di Giannantonio in 2025. The Italian is displaying brilliant form with VR46 this season, grabbing two pole positions and his first win of 2026 at the Catalan Grand Prix.
Rate KTM’s move for Fabio Di Giannantonio out of 10!
However, with Aldeguer joining the team, as well as Pedro Acosta moving to Ducati, the 27-year-old has jumped ship to KTM. Di Giannantonio knew he would lose ‘prominence’ at Ducati with his new teammate, and thus opted to fulfil his desire of being a factory rider.
With Diggia sitting third in the standings, fresh off his second MotoGP win, and comfortably being Ducati’s top rider so far in 2026, he will certainly be a significant loss to Rossi and his team.
He would not have expected Aldeguer to become his replacement, but that is exactly how it has turned out, and it is a stroke of genius from the Doctor, as the Catalan GP proved.
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Fermin Aldeguer’s stunning Catalan GP performance proves why he is the perfect Fabio Di Giannantonio replacement
It has not been an easy 2026 season for Aldeguer, after he suffered a leg fracture over the winter. He missed pre-season testing and the opening round in Thailand.
While he is back on the bike, the Spaniard is having trouble with the effects of the injury. Aldeguer will be ‘in pain all year’ after he decided to delay further surgery so not to jeopardise his move to VR46.
That is what is making his performances so impressive this year. He is clearly not at 100% fitness, yet is still consistently finishing in the points, with Catalunya being the best of the bunch thus far.
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In a race marred by serious crashes for teammate Marquez and Johann Zarco, Aldeguer kept himself out of trouble and finished in third, which later became second after a tyre pressure penalty for Joan Mir. It marked his first podium since his maiden MotoGP win in Indonesia last year.
Even while dealing with a significant injury, the 21-year-old is able to extract top performance from his Desmosedici. It should give Rossi and VR46 all the reason to be excited about his prospects in 2027.
If Aldeguer is doing this now, his ceiling at 100% fitness is incredibly high. His signature is a brilliant coup from Rossi, and he will be keen to give him all the support he needs in 2027.
In fact, Aldeguer will get factory support at VR46 and will certainly only get better. He is already showing that he is the perfect replacement for Di Giannantonio in 2027.
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