Ducati moves Fermin Aldeguer to VR46 for 2027, raising Gresini tensions
Summary
Ducati has moved 21-year-old Fermin Aldeguer from Gresini to Valentino Rossi’s VR46 squad for 2027, activating VR46’s factory-supported option and offering factory machinery, a new livery and a contract option extended through 2028. VR46 team principal Uccio Salucci confirmed interest at the United States GP weekend (FP1, Q3 and the Race), calling Aldeguer “a fantastic rider,” and Ducati’s activation of the option was cited as a decisive factor in the transfer. Aldeguer reportedly had preferred to remain at Gresini and was denied a promised factory bike for 2026.
Gresini owner Nadia Padovani reacted strongly to the transfer, with sources saying the move left her team needing two riders for 2027 after Alex Márquez’s expected departure to KTM. Padovani publicly rejected the idea that Ducati could force Nicolo Bulega onto Gresini, saying she would only sign Bulega if he were the best option; Bulega has been linked to MotoGP interest and is noted as a 26-year-old World Superbike front‑runner with a dominant start to his season. Faced with a constrained pool of suitable replacements and limited manufacturer alternatives, Gresini briefly considered leaving Ducati and held talks with Honda and Aprilia, but after assessing realistic options moved toward renewing its Ducati deal. Reports name Enea Bastianini and Moto2 prospect Daniel Holgado among riders linked to Gresini’s reorganization.
The episode highlights the growing influence of manufacturers in shaping satellite-team lineups and the strategic value of factory support. Aldeguer, the 2025 Rookie of the Year, finished eighth overall in 2025 and scored a Grand Prix victory in Indonesia; that win and his points tally contributed to his eighth-place finish and the rookie title in the championship standings. Observers noted a single high-profile rider movement can force rapid strategy changes for teams in a market where top-level riders are scarce, and that factory backing remains a decisive advantage in MotoGP’s satellite ecosystem.