Aldeguer's Setback: A Grisly Turn of Events
The young Gresini talent, Fermin Aldeguer, suffered a heavy crash last Thursday during a private test at the Aspar Circuit in Guadassuar, Valencia. This unfortunate incident resulted in a severe injury to the diaphysis of his left femur, the crucial long thigh bone connecting hip and knee. He was reportedly riding alongside notable figures like Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, David Alonso, and Maximo Quiles when the crash occurred.
Successful Surgery, Lingering Questions
Following the accident, Aldeguer was admitted to Hospital Universitari Dexeus in Barcelona, where he underwent successful surgery on Friday. The procedure was performed by Dr. Ignacio Ginebreda, head of the Limb Lengthening and Bone Reconstruction Unit. While the surgery itself was a success, Aldeguer remains hospitalised, awaiting a comprehensive medical review. This review will determine when he can be discharged and, more critically, provide an initial assessment of his arduous recovery timeline.
Doctors are urging caution, underscoring that while recovery for an average person would be considerable, the specific return date for a professional athlete like Aldeguer will depend entirely on his individual progress and further examinations. The Gresini Racing team has confirmed the successful operation and promised further updates in the coming days.
The Road Ahead: Missing Crucial Pre-Season Milestones
Sepang's Shadow: Tests and Launches
The timing of Aldeguer's injury is particularly cruel, as it impacts the vital MotoGP pre-season calendar. He is already ruled out of the shakedown test for rookies and test riders in Sepang from January 29-31. More significantly, his presence is highly unlikely at the Gresini Racing team launch in Kuala Lumpur on January 31, and the subsequent first official test from February 3-5. Furthermore, the official MotoGP season launch on February 6-7, also in Kuala Lumpur, will likely proceed without the young star.
Missing these crucial events means Aldeguer will lose invaluable track time and miss out on crucial development work with his team as they prepare for the 2025 MotoGP campaign. This creates a significant hurdle for a rider looking to make a strong start.
Buriram Countdown: A Race Against Time
The final pre-season test is scheduled for Buriram from February 21-22. The biggest question looms over his potential participation in the season opener, the Thai Grand Prix, set for March 1 at the very same venue. Being sidelined for such a critical period puts Fermin Aldeguer in a desperate race against time to regain fitness and track readiness before the 2025 MotoGP calendar kicks into full gear. The entire MotoGP community hopes for a swift and full recovery for the talented rider.
