Fermin Aldeguer secured his first MotoGP victory at the Indonesian Grand Prix last weekend, while consciously avoiding the error that caused Jorge Martin’s 2023 Mandalika crash. The young Gresini Racing rider took the lead midway through the race, maintaining a steady pace to hold off challengers and claim a decisive win.
Aldeguer started the race from second position and took control on lap seven, immediately pulling away from the pack. At one point, he extended his lead to more than nine seconds before crossing the finish line 6.897 seconds ahead of the nearest competitor. His success marked a bright spot for Ducati, which faced difficulties elsewhere during the event, and also made Aldeguer the first rookie since Jorge Martin in 2021 to win in his debut MotoGP season.
Maintaining a Steady Pace to Avoid Mistakes
Throughout the race, Aldeguer was fully aware of Martin’s crash from the previous year and used that experience to guide his riding. Rather than pushing beyond his limits, he opted to sustain a comfortable and consistent pace, which proved crucial in preventing errors while leading the field.
When I was on the bike, I was remembering this crash Jorge Martin because I remembered his race at that moment,
Aldeguer stated.
He further explained,
“But sometimes it is better to continue in your pace because if you maybe reduce the speed, you do more mistakes, and I tried all the time to be focused.
“This pace of 1m30.8s, 1m30.7s was comfortable for me without going on the limit and with something more.
“It’s better to continue with the same pace and also because I don’t do a lot of laps with the medium.
I didn’t know what would happen with more laps in a row.
His cautious approach allowed him to keep a consistent rhythm without risking the crash that had cost Martin the win the year before.
Gresini Racing’s Continued Success and Sprint Race Challenge
This victory ensured that Gresini Racing has now won with every rider fielded since the team resumed independent status in 2022. The 20-year-old Spanish rider had narrowly missed a Sprint race win the day before, finishing second after being overtaken by Marco Bezzecchi in the closing moments.
Aldeguer identified Bezzecchi as his primary rival for the main race, but that challenge dissipated early when the Italian rider collided with Marc Marquez on the first lap.
The sprint was long and it was 13 laps – I led 12!,
Aldeguer recalled.
He described the early stages of the main race, saying,
“Today, the first lap, I felt very good but it was difficult to overtake [Luca] Marini and Pedro [Acosta].
“I overtook Marini in the same place that I tried in the sprint in the last lap with Bez, and I overtook Pedro in the same corner that I lost the sprint.
“I improved! After, when I saw on the pitboard 20 laps [left], to lead, a lot of things were in my head.
“But I tried to be super focused, to do my pace, and lap-by-lap I opened more gap.
“We talked with the team yesterday to not put who was behind me, because when I saw Bez was behind me [in the sprint] I did more mistakes.
“Today I was waiting for Bez because during the whole weekend he was faster than me.
But he didn’t arrive. I was opening lap-by-lap more gap and this motivated me to keep pushing.
The Importance of Focus and Strategy in a Tough Race
Aldeguer’s awareness of past crashes and his calculated race strategy highlight his maturity as a rookie. By managing his pace and avoiding unnecessary risks, he was able to convert a strong qualifying position into a commanding win. This accomplishment not only boosts his confidence but also adds momentum to Gresini Racing’s competitive run in the MotoGP season.
Looking ahead, Aldeguer’s disciplined riding style and experience gained in Indonesia could make him a consistent contender, capable of fending off established riders like Bezzecchi, Marquez, Marini, and Acosta. His ability to perform well under pressure is a promising sign for both his future and the team’s prospects this year.
