News Summary
- Fermín Aldeguer will miss the Malaysian MotoGP Grand Prix as he continues recovering from a fracture in his right hand.
- Iker Lecuona will remain with Gresini Ducati at Sepang, having already replaced Aldeguer during the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
- Gresini has not announced a confirmed return date for Aldeguer, who suffered the injury during the Indonesian Grand Prix.
Fermín Aldeguer has been ruled out of the 2026 Malaysian MotoGP Grand Prix, with Gresini Racing confirming that the Spaniard has not recovered sufficiently from the right-hand injury sustained in Indonesia. Iker Lecuona will continue as his replacement aboard the team’s #54 Ducati at Sepang from October 30 to November 1.
Aldeguer had initially targeted a return in Malaysia after missing the Australian round, but his recovery has not progressed quickly enough to permit him to compete. The setback extends a difficult season in which the Spaniard has repeatedly been forced to interrupt his racing programme because of injuries.
Gresini confirms Aldeguer will miss Sepang
Aldeguer suffered his latest injury during the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika.
The Spaniard crashed during the early stages of the race while fighting near the front of the field and sustained a fracture at the base of the first metacarpal bone in his right hand, close to the thumb.
He subsequently returned to Spain for surgery.
Although the operation was successful, the recovery period has prevented him from returning to MotoGP competition.
Gresini originally hoped Aldeguer would be available for Sepang, having already confirmed Lecuona as his substitute at Phillip Island.
The latest assessment has now ruled out that possibility.
MotoGP confirmed on October 24 that Aldeguer will remain absent from the Malaysian round, with Lecuona retaining the seat.
Gresini has not provided a firm date for the injured rider’s comeback.
Lecuona gets another opportunity with Gresini Ducati
Lecuona’s return gives the Spaniard another opportunity to compete in MotoGP after finishing runner-up in the 2026 World Superbike Championship.
He has previous experience with Gresini this season, having been called upon to replace injured riders at other rounds.
At Phillip Island, Lecuona finished ninth in Saturday’s sprint and collected a championship point.
His experience with the Ducati should help the team maintain continuity at Sepang, although the circuit’s demanding conditions will create a different challenge.
Malaysia combines long straights, heavy braking areas and high temperatures, requiring careful management of both tyres and physical effort.
Lecuona will again race alongside Álex Márquez, who finished second in the Australian sprint behind his brother Marc.
Aldeguer faces another interruption in difficult 2026 season
The injury in Indonesia is the latest in a series of physical setbacks for Aldeguer.
He missed the beginning of the year after suffering a fracture of his left femur, before another injury affected his season during the European rounds.
The latest fracture ended his Indonesian Grand Prix and subsequently ruled him out of both Australia and Malaysia.
That has left the Gresini rider with limited opportunities to build consistent momentum during the second half of the championship.
The decision to delay his return reflects the need to recover sufficient strength and mobility before riding a MotoGP motorcycle again.
Heavy braking forces can place substantial loads on a rider’s hands and wrists, making recovery particularly important before returning to competition.
Malaysia prepares for decisive MotoGP championship weekend
The Malaysian round is also important for the title battle between Marc Márquez and Jorge Martín.
Márquez arrives at Sepang with 365 points, ten ahead of Martín, following the cancellation of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.
Martín also sustained an injury at Phillip Island, leaving questions about his availability for the Malaysian weekend.
The complete championship scenarios before Malaysia explain the points still available over the final four rounds.
Aldeguer’s absence does not directly affect the championship fight at the front, but it represents another change to the grid for a weekend in which several riders are recovering from injuries.
The Malaysian Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, November 1, with the sprint scheduled for Saturday.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following the Malaysian MotoGP Grand Prix at Sepang, including rider fitness updates, qualifying, sprint and race coverage, in its MotoGP section.
