Fermin Aldeguer successfully navigated a challenging end to his Moto2 career and a tough start in MotoGP to clinch a race victory and earn the Rookie of the Year title. The young Spanish rider began the season outside the top 10 but quickly caught up with fellow newcomer Ai Ogura, showcasing his speed with the second-fastest lap at COTA.
Riding for Gresini Ducati, Aldeguer learned extensively from his teammate Alex Marquez and trained closely with him. He made a strong impression by securing two podium finishes in his debut season—finishing on the podium twice at Le Mans and coming second to Marquez in Austria. However, his standout moment was a dominant win in Mandalika, making him the second youngest MotoGP winner after Marc Marquez and the first new victor since Jorge Martin in 2021.
Ending the season eighth overall, Aldeguer has set ambitious goals for 2026, where he will continue racing the relatively new Desmosedici. However, to improve his standings, he must qualify better than ninth place in the BMW Awards rankings this year.
Reflecting on his rookie season, Aldeguer cherished the experience, noting it exceeded both his and others’ expectations. He highlighted learning from seasoned riders like Marc and Alex Marquez, especially their preparation and mindset. The early races were tough, but consistent improvement helped him break into the top five group, which raced at an incredible pace.
Aldeguer pointed out his strength in managing throttle and running smoothly on worn tires during the final parts of races, a skill that allowed him to finish faster at some tracks than the race winners, despite starting further back. On the technical side, he struggled initially with the differences in braking between Michelin and Pirelli tires, particularly with carbon brakes, but sees room for growth, especially in qualifying.
Working with crew chief Frankie Carcedi has been valuable for Aldeguer, as Carcedi’s experience and dedication have led to a strong partnership focused on clear communication and mutual adaptation.
For the upcoming season, Aldeguer aims to consistently finish in the top five, collect more podiums, and improve qualifying performances, with hopes of ending the championship in the top three. He is eagerly looking forward to the 2026 season.
Fan Take: Aldeguer’s impressive rookie year signals a fresh and exciting talent rising in MotoGP. His rapid progress and race-winning potential promise to shake up the competition and inspire the next wave of riders in the sport.
