The young Spaniard has signed a Ducati contract for the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP seasons.
SpeedUp's Fermin Aldeguer was the talk of the town at the end of the 2023 season, having won the final four Moto2 rounds of the year and eventually being linked with a move to Repsol Honda and VR46 Racing. Both were ultimately rejected, as SpeedUp's boss Luca Boscoscuro was also unwilling to break his current contract.
But it didn't last long for Ducati, who couldn't resist the 18-year-old Spaniard and signed him as one of their riders for the next two seasons. The only question that remains now is which team exactly he will drive for, because that was not mentioned in the announcement.
“I would like to welcome Fermín to the Ducati family and we can't wait to see him ride at our Desmosedici GP,” said Ducati manager Luigi Dall'Igna.
“I am very happy with this agreement, because Aldeguer is one of the strongest riders of the new generation of MotoGP.
“We have followed its evolution in recent years; this past season he showed incredible speed. He is a very young boy with the potential and qualities to do well, and we will give him all the technical support to help him grow.”
It is still unknown where exactly Aldeguer will end up in 2025, as Ducati normally does not contract newcomers directly from the factory. Pramac and VR46 are now in the final year of their Ducati contracts, which could explain the lack of details about Aldeguer's seat.
Given Pramac's nearly 20-year partnership with Ducati, it would come as no surprise that the partnership would continue. And with their leader Jorge Martin currently in top form and openly on the hunt for a factory rider, he is predicted to leave Pramac at the end of the season, leaving a place open for Aldeguer.
“I am thrilled with this opportunity; thanks to Ducati I can realize my dream that I have cherished since my youth. The time has come to take the big leap and compete against the best riders in the world, and what's more, I'll do it with the best bike on the grid,” says an excited Aldeguer.
“I would like to express my thanks to Ducati, especially to Gigi Dall'Igna, for their confidence in me from the beginning of our discussions.
“I want to thank Luca Boscoscuro for everything we have shared and for what lies ahead this year. I am also grateful to my family, my manager Héctor Faubel and everyone who contributed in some way to my journey here.
“Now that I know what the future holds, it is time to focus solely on this season, where I face a big challenge in Moto2. I will give everything to leave this category with my head held high, with the aim of achieving the best possible results before starting the new adventure in MotoGP.”
Image – motogp.com, Dorna
Author – Liam van de Seijp
