- Fermin Aldeguer misses Thailand test and Grand Prix after femur fracture
- Michele Pirro replaces him at Gresini Racing
- Marc Marquez sparks debate with 2027 prediction
- Jorge Martin tests in Valencia after injury break
The start of the 2026 MotoGP season is marked by several parallel developments. While some of the field is testing in Thailand, other riders are struggling with injuries or already looking ahead to the 2027 rider market. Fermin Aldeguer, Marc Marquez, and Jorge Martin are particularly in focus.
Fermin Aldeguer ruled out for Thailand
The season is starting with a setback for Fermin Aldeguer. The Spaniard will not be taking part in either the pre-season test in Buriram or the Thai Grand Prix on March 1. This was confirmed by his team, Gresini Racing, following ongoing rehabilitation.
Aldeguer was injured in January during a training accident at the Aspar Circuit near Valencia. He suffered a fracture of his left femur in the crash with a Yamaha R6. After the accident, he was taken to a hospital in Barcelona and underwent surgery.
He already missed the test in Sepang. There was hope that he might be able to compete in Thailand, but the team made it clear: “Fermin Aldeguer’s recovery is progressing rapidly, though not enough to see him in Thailand.”
Aldeguer will not be able to return to racing until the Brazilian Grand Prix on March 22 at the earliest. The long break is making it considerably more difficult for him to prepare for his second MotoGP season.
Michele Pirro takes over at Gresini
Ducati test rider Michele Pirro will be his replacement. Pirro had already competed in two races for the injured Marc Marquez at the end of 2025 and is considered internally to be a proven solution in the event of absences.
However, his role in 2026 is particularly sensitive. With a view to the extensive rule changes in 2027, Ducati is already working on the prototype for the new motorcycle. Pirro is expected to play a key role in its development.
Ducati also has Superbike rider Nicolo Bulega as a test rider. Bulega also stood in for Marc Marquez at the end of 2025. However, he was unable to compete in Thailand because the start of the Superbike World Championship in Australia coincided with the Buriram test.
Marc Marquez and the speculation surrounding 2027
Alongside the injury issues, Marc Marquez is attracting attention with his statements about the 2027 season. In a video on the official MotoGP website, the seven-time world champion presented his personal prediction for the 2027 starting grid.
Surprisingly, he initially placed his brother Alex Marquez in the Ducati factory team and Pedro Acosta alongside him. Shortly afterwards, he changed his choice and placed Francesco Bagnaia next to Alex Marquez with the comment: “this would be a good team.”
In his prediction, Marquez saw Pedro Acosta at Honda instead, together with Jorge Martin. He left himself out of the lineup. When asked if he was planning a vacation, he replied: “Maybe, you never know.”
The statements were obviously meant tongue-in-cheek, but they shed light on the complex contract situation. Almost all contracts expire at the end of 2026. According to reports, Fabio Quartararo is set to move to Honda, while Jorge Martin is linked with Yamaha. A move to Ducati has been rumored for Pedro Acosta. Francesco Bagnaia is said to be linked with Aprilia, while Alex Marquez is considered a candidate for KTM.
Ducati has publicly emphasized its desire to prioritize Marc Marquez, but admitted that contract negotiations are not straightforward. If the rider market develops as rumored, Ducati could lose both Bagnaia and Alex Marquez in 2027.
Jorge Martin tests after injury break
Jorge Martin is also in the spotlight. The 2024 MotoGP world champion prepared for his comeback in his native Spain after official tests and the season opener in Kuala Lumpur.
The Aprilia factory rider completed two intensive days of training at the Aspar Circuit near Valencia.
For the first time after another medical break due to ongoing problems with his collarbone and scaphoid bone, he was back on a motorcycle in racing trim. A Supersport motorcycle from the Aprilia fleet was prepared for the private sessions. Martin traveled with an extensive team, including his father Angel Martin, his fitness trainer Jorge Echevarria, and several close confidants from his circle.
During the track days, he completed numerous laps and displayed stable body language on the twisty course.
There is a lot at stake for Martin. After an injury-plagued 2025, he needs to prove that he is fully fit again. Rumors are circulating that the Yamaha factory team is expecting some kind of fitness certificate for a possible contract starting in 2027.
Injuries and contracts shape the start of the season
The start of the 2026 season is therefore not only marked by sporting expectations, but also by medical and strategic issues. Aldeguer’s absence, Martin’s comeback preparations, and the open contract constellations for 2027 show how closely sporting performance, health, and long-term planning are intertwined.
For the second year in a row, the field will not be complete at the start of the season. Developments in the coming weeks are likely to set the tone both in terms of sporting performance and contracts.
What does this mean for me as a MotoGP fan?
For MotoGP fans, the current situation means one thing above all else: the start of the 2026 season will be more exciting than expected, both in terms of sporting and strategic considerations. Fermin Aldeguer’s absence changes the balance of power at Gresini Racing, while Michele Pirro, as a replacement rider, can provide additional comparative data for Ducati. At the same time, the unresolved contract issues surrounding Marc Marquez, Jorge Martin, and other top riders are creating an unusually early dynamic with regard to 2027. In addition to the pure race results, the focus is now shifting more toward fitness, motorcycle development, and tactical decisions by the manufacturers.
