Phoenix 24
Another injury threatens the Spanish rider’s troubled 2026 season.
PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
Spanish MotoGP rider Fermín Aldeguer is facing another interruption to his 2026 campaign after undergoing surgery on his right hand following a crash at the Indonesian Grand Prix. With the Australian Grand Prix approaching, the 21-year-old Gresini Racing rider faces uncertainty over his return to competition.
The injury occurred during the second lap of the Indonesian race at Mandalika, where Aldeguer lost control of his Ducati at Turn 16 while running in fourth position. Medical examinations subsequently revealed a fracture at the base of the first metacarpal bone of his right hand, requiring surgical intervention.
The operation was performed in Barcelona, and Aldeguer subsequently confirmed that the procedure had been successful. However, the surgery’s outcome does not automatically establish that he is physically ready to return to racing.
Spanish sports outlet SPORT reports that Aldeguer will miss the Australian Grand Prix, scheduled for October 23 to 25 at Phillip Island. MotoGP’s official medical update of October 14 had still described his participation as unconfirmed, making any subsequent team announcement important for establishing his definitive status.
The latest setback adds to an exceptionally difficult season for the Spanish rider.
Aldeguer fractured his left femur during preseason preparations, forcing him to miss the opening round in Thailand. He later suffered a fracture involving the T7 vertebra during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, leading to further absences while he recovered.
These interruptions have complicated his attempts to build consistency following a promising debut season in the premier class.
Indonesia had previously represented a career milestone. Aldeguer secured his first MotoGP victory at Mandalika in 2025, demonstrating the speed and racecraft that established him as one of the championship’s emerging talents.
His return to the circuit in 2026 proved considerably less successful. Multiple crashes disrupted the weekend before the accident that ended his main race and required another operation.
For Gresini Racing, the immediate challenge involves managing a rider’s recovery without compromising his longer-term physical condition. MotoGP places considerable demands on the hands and wrists through braking, steering and rapid changes of direction, making adequate rehabilitation essential.
The Australian race also carries historical significance. Phillip Island is scheduled to host MotoGP for the final time before the Australian Grand Prix moves to Adelaide in 2027.
Aldeguer’s possible absence would therefore deprive him of an opportunity to compete at one of the championship’s most established circuits during its final appearance on the calendar.
Attention will now turn to his medical progress and the possibility of returning for the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, scheduled for October 30 to November 1. No definitive recovery timetable has been established in the official medical information reviewed.
The circumstances illustrate a recurring challenge in elite motorsport: maintaining competitive momentum while ensuring that athletes recover adequately from successive injuries.
For Aldeguer, the immediate priority is no longer recovering lost championship points. It is regaining the physical condition needed to compete without unnecessarily increasing the risk of another setback.
Beyond the Finish Line, Performance Matters.