Gresini Racing has announced that Michele Pirro will take over from Fermin Aldeguer at the 2026 Thailand Grand Prix after Aldeguer was forced to withdraw due to injury. The Spaniard suffered a fractured femur in a training accident in Valencia, which has sidelined him from the season opener and disrupted his second year in MotoGP.
Ducati’s team manager Davide Tardozzi was initially hopeful that Aldeguer could return in time for the Buriram race weekend. However, Aldeguer decided to sit out the event to focus on recovery, leaving Gresini to seek a replacement rider for both the pre-season testing and the Grand Prix itself.
Michele Pirro Steps Up as Temporary Rider for Thailand Event
Michele Pirro, Ducati’s seasoned test rider, has been confirmed as Aldeguer’s substitute in Thailand. Pirro previously stepped in for injured riders, including replacing Marc Marquez during the Australian and Malaysian rounds last season. In those races, at the age of 39, Pirro managed to finish 18th and 17th respectively before being succeeded by Ducati World Superbike star Nicolo Bulega for the final rounds.
Aldeguer aims to return by the second race of the 2026 season in Brazil, scheduled about three weeks after the Thailand GP. He also mentioned the possibility of competing in Austin if his recovery timeline extends beyond that point.
This setback is particularly disappointing for Aldeguer, who earned widespread acclaim during his rookie year and secured the Rookie of the Year award. Team principal Luigi Dall’Igna has identified the young Murcian as a key future asset for the factory Ducati team, making his absence from crucial pre-season activities and the opening round a significant hurdle at a critical juncture for rider contracts and team placements.
Predictions on Aldeguer’s Future and the 2027 MotoGP Grid
Despite Aldeguer’s injury, the rider market turnover for the 2027 season remains active and unpredictable. Seven-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez recently shared his predictions for the upcoming grid in a social media video. Notably, Marquez foresees Aldeguer continuing with Gresini Racing for his third premier class season.
Marc Marquez also expects Aldeguer’s teammate, Alex Marquez, to secure a full factory ride with Ducati after receiving factory support in 2026. However, Marquez did not include himself in the predicted 2027 lineup, leading to speculation among fans that he may be considering retirement rather than a grid absence.
“Fermin Aldeguer’s absence from pre-season testing and the opening round of the season may be a big disadvantage for him as the rider market reaches a boiling point.” – Luigi Dall’Igna, Team Principal
“Marc Marquez was asked to give his predictions in a social media video posted by official MotoGP channels, and his suggestions have been very interesting.” – Source
“Pirro was given the reins to replace Marc Marquez for Borgo Panigale at the rounds in Australia and Malaysia following the title-winner’s injury in Indonesia.” – Source
Implications for MotoGP Season and Rider Prospects
The injury to Fermin Aldeguer introduces uncertainty into an already tense MotoGP environment. His absence from key preseason preparation and the critical first race weekend could significantly affect his momentum and bargaining power, especially as the rider market intensifies ahead of the 2027 campaign.
Michele Pirro’s return as a substitute reflects Ducati and Gresini Racing’s confidence in his experience and ability to manage challenging race conditions on short notice. However, the long-term impact will hinge on Aldeguer’s recovery and how quickly he can regain his competitive pace amid fierce competition.
As the season progresses, fans and teams alike will watch closely to see if Aldeguer can bounce back from this injury and solidify his promising career trajectory within Ducati’s premier racing program.
