Fermin Aldeguer secured his first victory in the MotoGP series during the Indonesian Grand Prix on October 1, 2023, marking a significant milestone in his career. The race unfolded dramatically, particularly on the opening lap, when polesitter Marco Bezzecchi collided with two-time world champion Marc Marquez, resulting in Marquez sustaining a shoulder injury.
Aldeguer, competing for Gresini Racing, capitalized on a sluggish start from Bezzecchi, who had been expected to dominate after his strong qualifying performance. After passing early race leader Pedro Acosta, Aldeguer became the second youngest winner in MotoGP history, showcasing exceptional skill and composure throughout the race.
While Bezzecchi faltered at the start, allowing Acosta to take the lead from fifth on the grid, the defining moment occurred shortly thereafter. Bezzecchi miscalculated his braking into Turn 7, colliding with Marquez and both riders fell into the gravel. Marquez was seen clutching his shoulder and was subsequently taken to the medical center, where it was confirmed that he had suffered a fracture.
With two key competitors sidelined, Acosta attempted to maintain his lead, initially holding off pressure from Aldeguer, who was relentless in his pursuit. By lap 2, Aldeguer made a move on Luca Marini, who was also in contention, and successfully passed him to take second place.
As the race progressed, Aldeguer closed in on Acosta, eventually making the decisive pass for the lead at Turn 10 on lap 7. Although Acosta briefly regained the lead at Turn 1 on lap 8, he ran wide, allowing Aldeguer to reclaim his position. Over the next several laps, Aldeguer extended his lead to over one second, leaving Acosta battling Marini for second place.
The competition intensified as Alex Rins joined the fray, overtaking Marini and Acosta in the final laps. In a thrilling sequence, Acosta managed to retake second place from Marquez with just three laps remaining. Marquez, who had fought valiantly, ultimately finished fourth, while Rins slipped down the order after struggling to maintain his position.
The final standings saw Aldeguer victorious with a time of 41:07.651, while Acosta finished second, followed by Marquez in third. The results emphasized Gresini Racing’s advantage over other Ducati teams during the race weekend.
This race not only highlighted Aldeguer’s potential but also underscored the unpredictability of MotoGP, where fortunes can change in a split second. The incident involving Bezzecchi and Marquez serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with the sport. With the next race approaching, all eyes will be on Aldeguer as he seeks to build on this remarkable achievement.
