Gresini Racing has introduced that Fermin Aldeguer will miss the beginning of the 2026 MotoGP season as he continues to get well from a fractured femur.
The Spaniard made his MotoGP debut with the satellite tv for pc Ducati staff final yr and loved a formidable season.
He rose to prime rookie honors aboard his 2024 Ducati, with the spotlight of the yr being his sensational first win on the Indonesian Grand Prix.
Fermin Aldeguer, who remained with Gresini for his second yr in MotoGP, was anticipated to grow to be a extra common podium contender.
However his pre-season preparations took a success when he broke his femur in a coaching crash at Spain’s Aspar circuit in January.
Given the anticipated timetable for restoration from the femur damage, this put his participation within the two winter exams and the season opener in Thailand in severe doubt.
He was absent from the Sepang check, however his physiotherapist commented earlier this month that the opportunity of him going to Thailand for the primary race can’t be fully dominated out.
Nonetheless, Gresini introduced that Aldeguer will miss subsequent week’s pre-season check in Buriram and the season-opening Grand Prix.
He will probably be changed by Ducati check rider Michele Pirro.
.#GresiniX information @Aldeguer54 Maintain shifting ahead with willpower and perseverance. His restoration is progressing quickly, however to not the purpose the place we will see him in Thailand. He’ll miss the Buriram check and the season opener and will probably be changed by Michele Pirro. pic.twitter.com/KfrDNZaA0k
— Gresini Racing (@GresiniRacing) February 12, 2026
Pirro is often Ducati’s fundamental choice as a substitute for injured riders, however there was some doubt as to how he would handle his workload in 2026.
Pirro will spend the subsequent few months engaged on early prototypes of Ducati’s new bike because the 2027 regulation evaluation approaches.
Ducati at present has World Superbike star Nicolo Brega as their MotoGP check rider, with the Italian set to make his racing debut within the closing two races of 2025 rather than injured Marc Marquez.
Brega plans to assist with the 850cc check later this yr.
Given his lack of earlier MotoGP expertise, he would have benefited from extra bike time as Aldeger’s substitute.
Nonetheless, with the World Superbike season opener in Australia happening similtaneously the Buriram check, Brega was unable to trip the bike earlier than the beginning of the season.
This would be the second yr in a row that your entire full-time grid will probably be unavailable for the primary race of the brand new season, following Jorge Martin’s damage in 2025.
