The 2026 preseason will take place without him. But what about the first race? Nothing is completely ruled out yet. Having suffered a fractured femur in a training accident earlier this month, Fermin Aldeguer had to undergo surgery. A tough blow for the Gresini rider, who was approaching this new season with the ambition of confirming his status as a great MotoGP prospect.
Although the Italian team has not announced a precise timetable for its return, one thing is already certain: Aldeguer will miss the trials of Sepang and BuriramThe priority now lies elsewhere: being ready for the Thailand Grand Prix, February 27 to March 1.
Aitor Tomas, an experienced paddock physiotherapist who has worked with Aleix Espargaro, Dani Pedrosa or, Peter Acosta, oversees the young Spaniard's rehabilitation. And his speech on crash.net oscillates between realism and determination.
« It is impossible for him to be ready for the preseason, and We will do everything we can to ensure he is present at the first MotoGP race »
The message is clear : Sepang is lost, but the season is not yet compromised. Tomas, however, insists on his role:
« The physiotherapist is not in charge; He is there to support the driver so that he can progress day after day and gain confidence.In other words, the body will decide.
A "complex" fracture for Fermin Aldeguer, but a precedent named Acosta
A fracture of the femur is never insignificant, especially a few weeks before the start of a world championship. Tomas also acknowledges that Aldeguer's situation is "complex".
However, he recalls an encouraging precedent: Another one of my pilots, Pedro Acosta, suffered a very similar injury, a fractured femur. He was back on his bike in 15 days. »
A comparison that makes one dream… but which he immediately tempers: “ Does this mean Fermin will do the same? No, because even if it were exactly the same injury, with the same factors and circumstances, everyone reacts differently »
Every body, every recovery, every pain threshold is unique.
For the moment, Gresini No plan B has been announced. No replacement has been confirmed, and no official strategy has been put in place should the absence be prolonged. The situation remains contingent on the progress of his rehabilitation.
Aldeguer He needed the miles to continue his MotoGP development. Now he'll have to get back into competition without a single day of winter testing. The countdown has begun. And while the pre-season is already lost, Thailand remains an open battle.
