After a victorious Saturday in the Le Mans Sprint that allowed him to stand on the MotoGP podium, Fermin Aldeguer’s feelings could be summed up in a single word: “experience.” It is a good reflection of the trek that a 20-year-old rookie has taken since his inaugural season in MotoGP. It is as if Aldeguer’s progression follows that of one with a great deal of MotoGP experience from modest results in early rounds, to a rapid change at Austin in Aldeguer’s favour, and a later descent into mediocrity.
His third-place finish in Saturday’s Sprint, after his team-mate Alex Marquez did not happen astride reasons being luck or finding himself in the right place at the right time. The finish was the result of increased self-belief and enhanced qualifying results, as well as intuitive mastery of the GP24. It began in Texas when he had all the speed and that momentum has continued without a break to present-day France. Consecutive fourths in Qatar, and Jerez, and a podium in the French Sprint, all in quick succession, have created a story that is every bit spellbinding and credible.
It is needless to say that before Aldeguer has enjoyed high expectations. His Moto2 dominance the year before thrust a lot of expectations on him as he made his debut in the MotoGP race. Aldeguer and his staff were realistic, in spite of external expectations as they knew best for sustained gains it was accumulated laps, valuable mistakes and growth that the best approach. At Le Mans, he crashed after setting his fastest lap of the qualifying session. If he had not crashed, he could have qualified at the front. The crash itself is less important than what followed, however. It’s the closeness of his performance, and how he appears to be able to go beyond that.
Even now, Aldeguer remains pragmatic. Aldeguer told Le Mans reporters, “The focus is on accumulating more laps with the bike and more laps competing against the leaders”. Getting race time with the fastest riders makes you improve faster. His calm pragmatic and realistic attitude is one of the most conspicuous features of his strategy. Proving themselves is the first priority, in every scenario, for many rookies at 20. Aldeguer handles the sport with patience and forethought and his approach has already born positive results.
Despite his sensational status by some people, Aldeguer refuses to make comparisons between himself and his teammate and Alex Marquez. “He’s always my biggest competitor despite the fact that we treat each other as team-mates and respect each other highly,” he added. I’m not trying to compete directly with Alex. However I have to remain patient, compete at the very front with those at the top, continue improving my skills. However, if the opportunity to do so comes up, then Aldeguer is ready to make the move. He still evaluates his position in his life ideally and knows all the obstacles that lie ahead to succeed more.
Heavily dominated as a rider is usually this calm, this early in his premier-class journey is rather rare. Until Aldeguer matches his Sprint record in the full-length Grands Prix, there is no denying his slow but steady run is in motion. That is his best gp finish to date as fifth in Qatar after Maverick Viñales was penalised but runs in Austin and Jerez where he lost the fight to be on the podium, hinting that he is ready for a podium if only he finds the consistency to go with the speed.
A feeling of momentum is in the Gresini garage, thanks to Marquez’s success in Spain and Aldeguer’s third place finish at Le Mans. The Gresini team gets to understand this is a very special rider, one who is showing maturity far beyond his years. But every member of the team understands well that :<< the job isn’t done. Admittedly, their potential is limitless, but some skills need to be enhanced. It is gratifying to find Aldeguer’s perception of this. He doesn’t get carried away. He knows the best is yet to come — and he believes the game plan moving forward is to stay consistent with his latest plan.
It is the fact that everything comes off so effortlessly that makes Aldeguer’s recent success so compelling. His composure, improving performance, and driving — all of it appears effortless.”. It feels earned. “The season has been quite great for us, but we are still learning and we need to be patient in our pursuit,” he added. This quote is not just for the sporadic podium finisher – it’s a sign of a driver predisposed to future race success.
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