Gresini Racing has announced that Ducati rider Fermin Aldeguer will travel to the Qatar Grand Prix with plans to compete despite recovering from a wrist injury. The Spanish racer, who has previously won a MotoGP race, injured his hand in a crash during the Indonesian Grand Prix and underwent surgery shortly after. As a result, he missed both the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix.
Aldeguer was hoping to return at Qatar, but his participation was uncertain due to reports that he was among several riders expressing concerns to MotoGP about racing at Lusail without adequate safety assurances. Nonetheless, Gresini confirmed late Tuesday that Aldeguer is fit to race and will be heading to Doha. Meanwhile, Iker Lecuona will substitute for Alex Marquez, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. Lecuona, a World Superbike competitor, has been filling in for Aldeguer during the last two rounds.
Aldeguer still requires final clearance to compete, but Gresini’s update is a positive sign for MotoGP, which faces a diminished grid at Qatar. With Yamaha withdrawing its teams, Alex Marquez sidelined by surgery, and other riders like Raul Fernandez and Jorge Martin uncertain due to injuries, the number of starters could fall dangerously low. Honda’s Joan Mir is also doubtful following a return of illness symptoms. Reports suggest that if Mir cannot race, former Moto2 star and World Superbike rider Jake Dixon might step in.
If some of these riders are unable to compete and no replacements are found, the grid might shrink to as few as 13 starters—the smallest MotoGP field since 2011. Furthermore, the Qatar GP itself remains under a cloud of uncertainty amid rider unrest about traveling to Doha, exacerbated by recent US military strikes on an Iranian island and subsequent regional tensions. There are unverified reports that hotels used by the MotoGP paddock in Doha have been named as potential targets by Iranian-backed media, adding to concerns over safety.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for racing fans because the potential return of Aldeguer and other riders could prevent MotoGP’s grid from shrinking to historic lows, preserving the competitiveness of the championship. It also highlights ongoing safety and geopolitical challenges the sport faces, which could impact future race venues and the overall stability of the MotoGP calendar.
Source: www.crash.net
