Having stood on the top step of the podium at the Mandalika circuit last year, Fermin Aldeguer now faces a vastly different reality heading into this weekend's racing action. The Spanish rider has openly admitted that he is not in the same momentum to repeat that triumph for the 2026 season. Last year, he put on a dominant display at the Mandalika race, securing victory by nearly seven seconds ahead of Pedro Acosta after Marco Bezzecchi crashed out on the opening lap.
Reflecting on that campaign, his stellar performance in Indonesia was backed by a string of strong preceding results, including a runner-up finish in Austria. However, that upward trajectory has been absent this season. Having suffered injuries at the start of the year and once more at the Dutch GP, the Gresini Racing rider has managed to secure only a single podium finish after 16 rounds.
"I know that I’m not in the same moment as last year," Fermin Aldeguer stated ahead of the Indonesian round. He explained that last year he achieved more podiums prior to arriving at the venue and showed greater consistency in the top five, whereas physical struggles and bike adaptation issues have heavily impacted his current campaign. Nevertheless, he maintains that Mandalika remains a favorable circuit where he previously achieved strong results in Moto2.
Beyond his immediate weekend prospects, Fermin Aldeguer also shared his thoughts on the upcoming MotoGP weekend format changes scheduled for 2027. The overhaul features reduced practice time, an extra Friday afternoon qualifying session, and the removal of Sunday morning's Warm Up. According to the Spaniard, the revisions present a mix of advantages and drawbacks for the premier class grid.
As reported by Crash.net, he pointed out that squeezing all 22 riders into a frantic 15-minute Q1 session could elevate the risk of yellow flags and dangerous traffic. Conversely, spending 20 to 25 minutes less on track benefits physical endurance and offers alternative recovery pathways if a rider struggles on Friday. While he acknowledges the necessity of the new 10-minute pit lane opening procedure to replace the traditional Warm Up, he noted that pushing to the absolute limit during those brief laps remains an unnecessary risk.
Baca Juga
Gigi Dall'Igna pastikan ban Michelin setara untuk semua tim di MotoGP jelang GP Mandalika, bahas persaingan Ducati dan Aprilia serta regulasi 2027.
CEO Aprilia Racing Massimo Rivola bicara soal strategi Jorge Martin dan Marco Bezzecchi dalam perebutan gelar juara dunia MotoGP musim ini.
Michelin merilis serial dokumenter enam bagian berjudul Racing on Trust, menampilkan Valentino Rossi dan Marc Marquez menjelang akhir era mereka di MotoGP.
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