With the announcement that Fermin Aldeguer will join the Ducati team in MotoGP next season, another piece of the puzzle for the upcoming grid has fallen into place. While this news may not come as a surprise given the hints from both Ducati and Aldeguer’s camps, it does provide insight into the Italian factory’s plans for the future and puts pressure on other riders to secure a seat outside of Ducati. The signing of Aldeguer was actually agreed upon before the start of the MotoGP season, showing his eagerness to join the team. Aldeguer’s junior career has largely gone unnoticed until his impressive performance in the final races of last season’s Moto2. Joining Ducati is a smart move for him, especially with the unpredictable 2024 Moto2 season ahead. Despite struggling in the opening race of this season, Aldeguer can now focus on improving his skills without the pressure of finding a ride. Ducati’s head of racing, Gigi Dall’Igna, has been interested in Aldeguer for some time, and Ducati’s new sporting director, Mauro Grassilli, made securing Aldeguer’s signature a top priority. Aldeguer’s lengthy contract indicates serious plans for him within the factory. The confirmation of Aldeguer as a Ducati rider without a specific team is likely connected to speculation about Ducati’s satellite team, Pramac. The priority for Ducati now is finalizing the Pramac deal. Jorge Martin, a contender for the 2023 title, remains focused on securing a factory seat for 2025 and is not rushing into any decisions. There have been rumors that Ducati may consider signing Marc Marquez, but he has not commented on the matter. The availability of Desmosedicis for the 2025 season remains uncertain, as Pramac and VR46 have yet to commit. Gresini is one team with relative certainty, and Alex Marquez expressed his desire for a factory-spec bike at Gresini in 2025. However, securing a factory-spec Ducati may be challenging, as Ducati has shown reluctance to have more than four factory-spec entries. Marquez would also need Ducati to choose against giving Aldeguer a factory-spec bike for his rookie season.
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