At the 2025 Indonesian Grand Prix in Mandalika, rookie Fermin Aldeguer stunned the MotoGP world by claiming a remarkable victory, defying expectations in a race marked by intense challenges and unpredictability. This Aldeguer MotoGP rookie win unfolded amid a complex mix of racing incidents, tire challenges, and strategic team support that combined to create a perfect scenario for the young Spaniard’s breakthrough.
Unexpected Twist at Mandalika Opens Door for Aldeguer
Mandalika has long held a reputation as one of MotoGP’s most unpredictable circuits since its introduction in 2022, known for slippery asphalt and extreme heat conditions that make racing chaotic. This year, it was a dramatic mishap on the opening lap that set the stage for Aldeguer’s success. Marco Bezzecchi, starting from pole position, dropped quickly after a poor start and clashed with Marc Marquez in an ambitious attempt to reclaim positions.
The collision between Bezzecchi and Marquez not only eliminated one of the race favorites but also removed a strong contender from the fight, leaving Aldeguer a clearer path forward. Marquez, a week after celebrating his world championship win in Japan, suffered a broken collarbone in the incident, adding another layer of tension to the event.
Bezzecchi’s aggressive move at the fast Turn 7 right-hander, where he misjudged his overtaking attempt on Marquez, resulted in unavoidable contact. While Bezzecchi escaped serious injury, the collision represented a lost opportunity for both riders and dramatically reshaped the race’s dynamics.
Marco, I think, was clearly the fastest rider during this weekend, so obviously the expectation was very high. Shit happens. This is racing at the end,
said Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola.
Prior to the crash, Bezzecchi had shown impressive pace on the medium rear tire, which generally favored his Aprilia—enough to potentially challenge for the podium. With Bezzecchi gone, Aldeguer was able to extend his lead significantly during the race.
I was waiting for Bez because during the whole weekend he was faster than me,
Aldeguer explained.
But he didn’t arrive. I was opening lap-by-lap more gap and this motivated me to keep pushing.
Aldeguer’s Riding Style and Tire Choice Gave Him a Clear Edge
While the initial laps were challenging as Aldeguer fought his way past Honda’s Luca Marini and KTM’s Pedro Acosta, once in front, he showcased an extraordinary ability to extend his gap from the chasing pack. By lap eight, his lead was just over half a second, but within a few laps, it ballooned to more than four seconds.
Analyzing Aldeguer’s lap times demonstrates his dominant pace: he was consistently faster by roughly 0.37 seconds per lap compared to Acosta in second place and about 0.31 seconds faster than his Gresini teammate Alex Marquez. Compared to the top factory Ducatis, like Fabio Di Giannantonio who finished ninth, Aldeguer maintained nearly a 0.39 seconds per lap advantage.
Alex Marquez, who benefited this weekend from information shared by Aldeguer, praised the rookie’s technique:
He was able to make a lot of corner speed,
Marquez said.
So, I think his natural way of riding was really perfect for this track and especially he is better than anybody else from Ducati on this track in terms of riding. So, he was making the difference. The bike was quite similar to our one in terms of set-up. So, he did a better job than us. He was able to ride in a really free way.
The challenge at Mandalika was amplified by the extreme heat and the track’s slick surface that forced tire manufacturer Michelin to bring a stiffer rear tire compound to help riders finish the race. This harder tire became an advantage for Aldeguer, whose smooth and flowing riding style minimized tire degradation and enabled him to extract superior cornering speed without compromising tire life.
Several of the leading Ducati riders struggled with braking and acceleration issues caused by the tire’s stiffness, a problem especially apparent with the newer GP25 bikes. Aldeguer’s GP24 specification, by contrast, seemed to complement his approach perfectly, allowing him to bypass issues others faced on the track.
This was not a one-off occurrence for Aldeguer. At the Austrian Grand Prix earlier in the year, where the same rear tire construction was used, he demonstrated strong pace and held a commanding second-place finish, further highlighting his ability to adapt to challenging tire and track combinations.
In fact, Aldeguer’s capacity to preserve tire performance and ride at a consistently high level has even impressed veterans in the sport. In 2023, Marc Marquez noted publicly that no other Ducati rider matched Aldeguer’s skill in tire management.
The Critical Role of Team Support in Aldeguer’s Success
Behind Aldeguer’s breakthrough win lies a vital support system that played an indispensable role in nurturing his talent and providing the right equipment and guidance. Ducati initially spotted Aldeguer’s potential when signing him at the beginning of 2024, despite a relatively subdued Moto2 season that year. Their investment was modest for MotoGP standards but has already yielded significant returns.
Ducati’s decision to place Aldeguer at the Gresini team, instead of the factory or Pramac squads, proved pivotal. This move came partly as a consequence of Marc Marquez rejecting Pramac as his 2025 racing destination and being placed in the factory seat, thereby sending Pramac to Yamaha. Aldeguer inherited Marquez’s former space within Gresini, gaining access to experienced mentorship and a professional environment.
Central to Aldeguer’s development is crew chief Frankie Carchedi, a figure with a highly respected record in MotoGP, renowned for helping rookies make rapid progress. Carchedi guided Joan Mir to a world championship in 2020 and played a key role in Fabio Di Giannantonio’s career rebound in 2023.
Carchedi’s involvement in Marquez’s 2024 season, which culminated in three race wins and a third-place overall finish, suggests that Aldeguer is benefitting from top-tier experience and expertise. Speaking about Aldeguer’s raw talent, Carchedi once remarked to Crash.net:
One thing that really impressed me was that we sat down once to look at it [the braking] and the next exit he was already on a very close par to the top riders. In fact, it was quite scary, that maybe we pushed him too much,
highlighting the rider’s natural abilities.
Gresini’s family-oriented team culture, shaped by Nadia Padovani following the passing of her husband Fausto in 2021 due to COVID-19, has also been crucial. Since regaining independent status with Ducati in 2022, Gresini has maintained a perfect record of race wins with all its riders, including the Marquez brothers, Enea Bastianini, Di Giannantonio, and now Aldeguer.
Mandalika Victory Marks a Turning Point but Future Challenges Await
Aldeguer’s triumph at Mandalika not only cements his place among MotoGP’s emerging talents but also injects hope and renewed energy into the Gresini team and Ducati’s broader racing efforts. This victory stands out on multiple levels: as the first rookie win since Jorge Martin in 2021, as a testament to the young Spaniard’s skill and perseverance, and as a disruption of the expected order that could reverberate through the remaining races of 2025.
However, racing conditions like those at Mandalika—unusually slick and thermally extreme—are atypical. Experts predict that forthcoming European rounds, scheduled to begin in November, will offer different challenges less suited to Aldeguer’s current advantages, possibly reshuffling results again as familiar frontrunners regain form.
Still, the rapid progress Aldeguer has demonstrated throughout the season, combined with Gresini’s supportive environment and Carchedi’s experienced guidance, suggest that this strong performance may well be the first of many in his MotoGP career, rather than an isolated occurrence.
