The Gresini Racing garage will be missing a key spark when the 2026 season officially kicks off. The team has confirmed that Fermin Aldeguer, the reigning 2025 Rookie of the Year, will miss both the upcoming Buriram Test and the season-opening Thai GP as he continues to battle back from a major injury.
The news serves as a massive reality check for the Spaniard, who was tipped to be a dark horse this season. Instead of fighting for podiums in the heat of Buriram, Aldeguer will be watching from the sidelines until at least the Brazilian Grand Prix at the end of March.
Aldeguer’s season was derailed before it even began following a pre-season training incident in Valencia, Spain, where he suffered a fractured shaft in his left femur. Despite undergoing surgery in early January and attacking his rehab with his trademark intensity, the clock simply ran out.
Gresini Racing broke the news via social media, striking a balance between optimism and caution:
“Aldeguer 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 the #54 bike vacant, Gresini has called upon the ultimate safe pair of hands: Michele Pirro. The veteran Ducati test rider will step in for both the test (Feb 21–22) and the race weekend (Feb 27 – Mar 1).
While Pirro lacks Aldeguer’s youthful aggression, his technical feedback is world-class—something that could prove invaluable for teammate Alex Marquez as he looks to capitalize on his strong Sepang form.
Credit Photo : MotoGP
