VR46 BOSS SAYS ALDEGUER’S 2027 SWITCH TO VR46 WAS A BIG SURPRISE

VR46 team manager Pablo Nieto has admitted that Fermin Aldeguer’s planned switch to the VR46 Ducati satellite outfit for 2027 took even the team by surprise. Speaking during FP1 at Aragon on the MotoGP world feed, Nieto explained that VR46’s move for Aldeguer was driven by the chance to give him a clearer path with factory support, even though the rider was expected to stay at Gresini.

Aldeguer is currently contracted directly to Ducati, and his 2027 plan involves changing satellite teams: he will leave Gresini and join VR46. Nieto said the timing and outcome came as “a big surprise,” adding that the underlying logic was about stepping up. “In the end, we are the factory-supported team,” Nieto said. “The riders, when they want to try and make a little bit of a step with the factory bike, that was the movement.” He also stressed that VR46’s interest in Aldeguer was long-standing, calling him “a young rider, very fast,” and concluding: “In the end, the decision was clear. For us, we were also very interested in the rider… We are happy. Like you say, it was a big surprise.”

Nieto also pointed to how VR46 had been watching Aldeguer since his Moto2 debut year in 2022. “We were very interested in him from the past, so we know that he’s a very fast rider, a great talent,” he said. “We try to be focused to get this kind of rider.”

The context behind the 2027 reshuffle is that VR46 have already lost Fabio Di Giannantonio to KTM, while Franco Morbidelli’s struggles are expected to cost him his ride. At Gresini, the new line-up has been rebuilt: Daniel Holgado is stepping up from Moto2, and Joan Mir has been signed from Honda. With Alex Marquez joining Di Giannantonio at KTM, Gresini’s changes have forced a reconfiguration that includes Aldeguer’s eventual move.

Nieto noted that Aldeguer is currently riding a year-old GP25, but from next season he will have access to up-to-date machinery. He also said Aldeguer is “super happy” to be with VR46 and believes the partnership can work well: “I think we can do a very good job together.”

Although there is not yet an official announcement, Aldeguer is expected to be paired with World Superbike champion-elect and Ducati test rider Nicolo Bulega. Reports suggest VR46 were initially hesitant due to their attachment to Morbidelli, but Ducati reportedly persuaded them after offering a discount on their bikes. Aldeguer is also hopeful of moving into Ducati’s factory team when his two-year VR46 deal ends, or potentially sooner if Marc Marquez retires—setting up a possible fight for the future factory seat.