MotoGP: Fermin Aldeguer hits hard at Mugello by bringing the VR46 Academy into line

Mugello rocked Thursday to the rhythm of Fermin Aldeguer and the sound of the Panigale V4 R, RSV4, and Valentino Rossi's legendary Yamaha R1. Dainese, the Italian motorcycle equipment giant, gathered nearly 20 riders from its team for a day of testing dedicated to its ambitious "Project Apex," whose objective is clear: to refine the champions' protections to better protect all motorcyclists.

Dainese invited its battalion of riders to test different materials and components, with one idea in mind: to transform MotoGP know-how into innovations accessible to all. And to mark the event, the brand made a big splash by putting together a poster worthy of a Grand Prix.

At Mugello, we found in particular: Valentino Rossi, always faithful to his Yamaha R1, the big names of the VR46 Academy : Marco Bezzecchi, Franco Morbidelli, Luca Marini, Celestino Vietti and Andrea Migno, current MotoGP figures like Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini) and Fabio DiGiannantonio. There were also emerging talents: Dani Holgado, David Munoz, Nicola Carraro, Brian Uriarte… And even the essential Andrea Iannone, still active in WSBK.

Fermin Aldeguer, the rising star

Although it was a matter of testing equipment, the hierarchy was still drawn on the track. And it is Fermin Aldeguer who stole the show. In the morning he achieved a 1'51.925, barely two tenths ahead Morbidely and six tenths ahead DriveIn the afternoon he hammered home the victory with a 1'50.919, leaving his rivals a good distance behind.

Behind, Morbidely confirmed its regularity, Drive impressed with his consistency and Bezzecchi invited himself into the top 4. Marini finished his day with a respectable 1'53,0 after 12 laps, while Rossi, in ambassador mode rather than time trialist mode, settled for 1'54,4.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the contrast: Rossi, fluorescent yellow helmet and calm smile, facing his “students” from the VR46 Academy who, for their part, were pounding the clock. A symbol of a transfer of knowledge... but also of loyalty, since the Doctor remains the major icon of Dainese after more than twenty years of collaboration.

The data collected during this full-scale test will be used to develop the next generation of suits and protections. Dainese. For pilots MotoGP as Aldeguer, it was also a way to continue working outside the official schedule. For Rossi, the opportunity to remind that it remains at the center of the ecosystem, even far from the starting grids.

Chronos: 

01. F. Aldeguer – 1:50.919 (22T)
02. F. Morbidelli +0.019 (37)
03. C. Vietti +0.055 (33)
04. Mr. Bezzecchi +0.287 (27)
05. L. Marini +1.058 (35)
06. A. Iannone +1 810 (15)
07. V. Rossi +1 960 (26)
08. F. Di Giannantonio +2 052 (14)
09. D. Holgado +3 081 (27)
10. L. Vitali +3 834 (24)