The Austrian MotoGP did not prove to be a remarkable event for Ducati overall, nor for the Gresini team, whose riders collided early during the race. Alex Marquez crashed out while positioned outside the top 10, whereas Fermin Aldeguer finished in eighth place at a venue where he had secured second place last year.
The incident between the two teammates occurred during the opening corners, with Marquez suffering the greater setback. Aldeguer reflected on the clash, explaining it happened on the first lap as he was trying to regain positions. He described how Fabio Di Giannantonio attempted an overtake on Quartararo, causing the riders to straighten out slightly, and Aldeguer, speeding towards Quartararo as well, made slight contact with Marquez. According to Aldeguer, the contact was minor and affected Marquez more than himself, noting that other overtaking moves seen during the race were far more aggressive.
Marquez shared a similar view, acknowledging the contact was not major but expressed regret that it occurred between teammates. He explained there were many riders close by, and despite the bump that nearly sent him off onto the gravel, it was a minor incident. However, he lamented how unfortunate it is when such events happen within the same team, especially on the first lap when everyone is eager to recover positions.
Looking ahead, this race marks the final MotoGP outings for Aldeguer and Marquez together at Gresini. Next season, Marquez will join the KTM factory team, while Aldeguer will remain with Ducati but switch to the VR46 Racing Team.
Fan Take: This incident highlights the intense competition and thin margins in MotoGP, especially among teammates fighting for position. As Aldeguer and Marquez prepare to part ways, their dynamic shifts may reshape team strategies and rider rivalries, adding fresh intrigue to the upcoming season for racing enthusiasts.
Source: www.crash.net
