– Gresini-Ducati must continue to do without Fermin Aldeguer at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. The Spaniard will also not compete in the twelfth round of the MotoGP World Championship. Instead, Iker Lecuona returns and will take over the second Gresini-Ducati for the weekend.
Read more New Audi Q9 (2026) in first contact: Rise for Audi
Aldeguer’s absence follows a precautionary decision by the team. As Gresini reports, the 21-year-old Spaniard will initially remain sidelined, although his recovery progress is assessed positively. “The Spanish rider will continue to pause as a precaution,” the racing team explains in its statement.
At the same time, there is a concrete schedule for the return: Aldeguer received medical clearance to resume training from August 15. His return to the MotoGP stage is expected for the Aragon Grand Prix, which takes place in about a month (August 28-30).
The reason for Aldeguer’s forced break is an injury from mid-season. At the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen at the end of June, the Gresini rider suffered a severe crash and sustained a fracture of the T7 vertebra.
The race doctors subsequently declared him unfit to compete. After further examinations, the team decided to focus entirely on a safe recovery rather than risk an early return to the track.
Read more A Century of Automotive History: The Birth of Mercedes-Benz
Lecuona takes over Aldeguer’s Ducati
For Silverstone, Gresini relies on a familiar substitute rider: Iker Lecuona will take over Aldeguer’s Ducati. The Spaniard had recently stepped in as a replacement for Alex Marquez in Hungary and now gets another opportunity.
“A welcome return to the Gresini family for Iker Lecuona,” the team writes in its statement. The 25-year-old already knows MotoGP from his time as a regular rider and also brings current racing experience from the Superbike World Championship, where he also pilots a Ducati.
For Aldeguer, meanwhile, full recovery is the focus. After a difficult phase with injuries, including a thigh fracture he sustained back in January, his return is now to take place without unnecessary risk.
- DTM“Most difficult race week”: Wittmann loses five kilos and receives infusions
- Formula 1Ferrari: Will the engine upgrade for Monza bring the turnaround in the championship?
- Formula 1Middle East crisis: Formula 1 prepares for further cancellations in 2027
- MotoGPMotoGP 2027: Date and location for the season opener are set
Gresini is planning long-term: Instead of trying to get a struggling Aldeguer back on track as quickly as possible, the team is focusing on a controlled build-up. With training clearance in mid-August and the targeted comeback in Aragon, the Spaniard has a clear roadmap back to racing.
Read more Friday rule: Who has already delivered and who still has to skip?
