Raul Fernandez secured his first podium in MotoGP during the Indonesian Grand Prix sprint, admitting he
“forgot how to ride the bike”
at times due to nerves as he approached the finish. The Trackhouse Aprilia rider’s breakthrough came after years of struggling to find consistent form in the top class of motorcycle racing.
The Spaniard’s time in MotoGP since moving up from Moto2 has been challenging, marred by near-misses including a crash while leading in the Barcelona sprint last season. Despite flashes of speed this year, Fernandez’s performance in Mandalika marked one of his most composed and solid weekends, qualifying third and maintaining that position in the 13-lap sprint event.
Early Career Struggles and Breakthrough at Mandalika
Fernandez admitted that memories of losing a podium finish under pressure in Barcelona affected his confidence, especially in the final laps of the Indonesian sprint. Nonetheless, he managed to hold his ground and secure his first premier class podium, a milestone both for him and the Aprilia team.
“I’m very happy. After four difficult years where we’ve never been competitive, I’m very happy,”
Fernandez said.
“Sometimes in the sprint I forgot how to ride the bike, because I was a little bit nervous, especially on the last lap. The last time I was in this kind of position I made a mistake.”
Seeing the gap when Marco Bezzecchi overtook him and noticing Alex Marquez falling behind, Fernandez focused on managing his ride to the finish, understanding the importance of the moment for both himself and Aprilia.
“I don’t know the reason why we are super competitive, but I am happy because when you have this feeling and opportunity you have to take it.”
The Mandalika circuit proved advantageous for Aprilia as Bezzecchi took pole position and won the sprint after recovering strongly following a poor start, highlighting the team’s growing competitiveness.
Brotherly Encouragement Played a Key Role in Fernandez’s Success
While Fernandez has struggled with inconsistency in MotoGP, his recent contract extension with Trackhouse until the end of 2026 shows the team’s faith in his potential. Alongside team support, he credited his brother Adrian Fernandez—who claimed pole in the Moto3 Indonesian Grand Prix—with helping him stay focused during difficult times and ultimately securing the podium.
“When you have four very difficult years, sometimes you think too much on the situations,”
Raul stated.
“But thanks to my brother, I tried to be focused on my job, I try always to keep on my work and try to enjoy in the difficult moments. And thanks to him I get this podium.”
Outlook for the Grand Prix and Future Challenges
Looking ahead to the main race on Sunday, Fernandez remained uncertain about repeating a podium finish but expressed confidence in having revealed his true potential and enjoying the race. He emphasized the importance of the race start and overtaking opportunities, noting the difficulty of passing competitors without a speed advantage.
“I’m happy for the result but I am happier for the feeling because also in Motegi we were very competitive,”
he remarked.
“The key is the start. If you have a big difference in pace or you can overtake. You see it with Marco. With Marco, he had an amazing pace and came like an animal to us.”
Fernandez also discussed the challenge of managing tire wear, especially the front tire, which could play a critical role in race strategy. He pointed out that Aprilia seems to handle the medium rear tire better than the soft, though the reasons remain unclear. This knowledge will factor into decisions during Sunday’s event.
“I don’t know if we will get a podium or not. I will try to enjoy and give my maximum. If we get a podium, I will be happy, but if not and I gave my maximum, then sure.”
This first premier class podium for Raul Fernandez not only signals a turning point in his career after years of setbacks but also highlights Aprilia’s ongoing development and competitive potential in MotoGP. As the season progresses, Fernandez’s ability to manage pressure and maintain consistent performance will be critical for further success.
