Fermin Aldeguer will miss the beginning of the 2026 MotoGP season as he continues to recover from a broken femur sustained during training. The Spanish rider, who made a strong impression in his rookie year with Gresini Racing and Ducati, will be absent from the first race in Thailand due to his injury.
Injury Forces Aldeguer to Miss Early Season Events
Aldeguer debuted in MotoGP last year as part of the satellite Ducati team and quickly established himself by earning top rookie honors. His standout moment came with a first career victory at the Indonesian Grand Prix, signaling his potential as a future podium contender. Returning to Gresini Racing for his sophomore season, expectations had been high for Aldeguer to fight regularly among the leaders.
However, his preparations were disrupted in January when he crashed at Spain’s Aspar Circuit during training, breaking his femur. This injury put his participation in the crucial winter testing sessions and opening race in doubt because femur fractures typically require extensive recovery time. Aldeguer missed the Sepang test in Malaysia, and although his physiotherapist had previously suggested a return for the Thailand round was still possible, the team has now confirmed he will not take part.
Michele Pirro to Stand In During Aldeguer’s Absence
Gresini Racing announced that Aldeguer will miss the Buriram pre-season test and the opener in Thailand, with Ducati test rider Michele Pirro stepping in as his replacement. Pirro has long been Ducati’s preferred substitute when riders are sidelined by injury, though some questions remain about balancing his testing workload in 2026.
“.#GresiniX news @Aldeguer54 keeps pushing forward with determination and perseverance. His recovery is moving fast, but not enough to see him in Thailand. He’ll miss the Buriram tests and the season opener, with Michele Pirro stepping in to replace him.” ?Gresini Racing
Ducati’s Support Structure and Future Testing Plans
Alongside Pirro, Ducati has also brought in World Superbike competitor Nicolo Bulega as a MotoGP test rider. Bulega made his premier class racing debut late in 2025, filling in for the injured Marc Marquez during the final two rounds. He is expected to assist with the development of the upcoming 850cc prototype bike ahead of the 2027 regulatory changes.
Although Bulega would have benefited from additional race bike time substituting for Aldeguer, scheduling conflicts with the World Superbike season opener in Australia prevent him from joining the Buriram test. This limits Ducati’s options for early-season coverage during Aldeguer’s recovery period.
Impact on the 2026 MotoGP Season Start
Aldeguer’s absence marks the second consecutive year that the full-time MotoGP grid will not be present at the first race. In 2025, Jorge Martin missed the opening round because of injury, reflecting ongoing challenges teams face with rider fitness at the start of demanding seasons.
The early season tests and initial race results will now proceed without Aldeguer, who remains focused on returning to competition as soon as possible. His recovery progress will be closely monitored by Gresini and Ducati, as they balance his health with the goal of establishing him as a consistent front-runner in MotoGP.
.#GresiniX news @Aldeguer54 keeps pushing forward with determination and perseverance. His recovery is moving fast, but not enough to see him in Thailand. He’ll miss the Buriram tests and the season opener, with Michele Pirro stepping in to replace him. pic.twitter.com/KfrDNZaA0k
— Gresini Racing (@GresiniRacing) February 12, 2026
