Marco Bezzecchi
Fermin Aldeguer delivered the best result of his MotoGP career so far in the Sprint at the Grand Prix of France. The Gresini rider achieved a landmark third place.
While his focus will be on the more lucrative Sunday race, this still goes down as a first podium in the premier class. Aldeguer had already set a new personal best in qualifying by taking P4.
He lost a place to factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia at the start, but quickly regained it when the two-time world champion went down on the second lap. He impressively held onto the top three.
That meant that, when teammate Alex Marquez passed Quartararo, Aldeguer had him in his sights. The two riders engaged in an intense battle as El Diablo tried to hold onto a podium in front of his home fans.
But Aldeguer showed no reverence for his title-winning opponent. He barged his way through with four laps remaining as Quartararo tried to shut the door at Museum corner.
Frankie Carchedi salutes Fermin Aldeguer after P3 in French Grand Prix Sprint
Moto2 graduate Aldeguer has the privilege of working with renowned crew chief Frankie Carchedi this season. Carchedi supported his predecessor, Marc Marquez, in 2024 and also helped Joan Mir win the title with Suzuki in 2020.
Shortly after the French Grand Prix Sprint had concluded, Carchedi took to social media to celebrate the result. Alex Marquez’s P2 – his sixth in as many Saturday races this year – gave Gresini their first double podium since Germany 2024.
“What a team!!!” Carchedi wrote. “Podium… Fastest lap of the race. What a ride @aldeguer54.”
Aldeguer made a slow start, left in the shadow of breakout Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura. But he’s looked increasingly rapid and is starting to deliver the kind of results that reflect that pace.
He scored 17 points during the Qatar weekend with a P4 and a P5, and while he crashed during the race in Jerez, he responded well at Le Mans.
Fermin Aldeguer is proving one thing his MotoGP critics said is nonsense
Privately, Carchedi has compared Aldeguer to Marquez after studying the data of both riders. It’s still far too early to suggest he has that kind of potential, but he’s growing in stature every weekend.
He’s certainly generating excitement inside Ducati. Team manager Davide Tardozzi thinks Aldeguer is the ‘future’ of MotoGP.
Earlier this year, Luigi Dall’Igna told Aldeguer to be patient, even if that meant accepting lowly finishes. He wanted to see ‘stable’ progression, but he’s actually witnessed a fairly sharp rise since Austin.
Some MotoGP fans have called Aldeguer overrated, but Neil Hodgson strongly disagrees. He says the ‘super talent’ is more than deserving of a place on the grid.
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