Fermín Aldeguer will join the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons, the Spanish rider announced on Tuesday, becoming the first non-Italian to race for Valentino Rossi's factory-supported squad.
The 21-year-old, currently in his second year in MotoGP with Gresini Racing, will ride a factory Ducati Desmosedici GP — a significant step up from the satellite machinery he has used so far. The deal, reported by crash.net and confirmed via the official VR46 press release, ends months of speculation about Aldeguer's future after Ducati chose Marc Márquez over him for the factory team in 2026.
"I am very happy about this new chapter," Aldeguer said in the team's statement. "VR46 is also the team supported by Ducati Factory, an extremely professional team, and I am happy to race with them. With the new 2027 regulations, my goal will be to adapt to the new tyres, but also to the new bike. Having the official Ducati will help a lot with development during the season."
Aldeguer arrived in MotoGP as the youngest rider on the grid after winning the 2024 Moto2 championship. He impressed as a rookie in 2025, claiming a stunning victory at the Indonesian Grand Prix — the first of his premier-class career. That result, combined with his raw speed on satellite Ducati machinery, made him one of the most coveted riders on the grid.
The timing of the announcement is notable. Aldeguer is returning from a T7 vertebra fracture sustained earlier in the season, an injury that sidelined him for several rounds and required a lengthy rehabilitation. His comeback at this weekend's Aragon Grand Prix adds an extra layer of drama to what is already a pivotal moment in his career.
For VR46, the signing consolidates the team's position within the Ducati family as the manufacturer prepares for sweeping technical changes in 2027. The introduction of 850cc engines and Pirelli tyres will reshape the competitive landscape, and having a young, adaptable rider on a factory-spec bike gives the team a strong hand in the transition.
Aldeguer will line up alongside Nicolò Bulega, who moves up from WorldSBK to complete the VR46 roster for 2027. Gresini Racing, meanwhile, bids farewell to one of its most promising talents — though the team retains Joan Mir and will look to rebuild its lineup around the Spaniard.
The move marks the end of an era for Aldeguer at Gresini, but the beginning of a defining chapter at VR46. At 21, with factory Ducati backing and the mentorship of Rossi's team structure, he has the tools to challenge at the front from day one of the new regulations era.
Sources
- https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/1103013/1/vr46-confirms-fermin-aldeguer-2027-motogp-season
- https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2026/08/26/aldeguer-joins-pertamina-enduro-vr46-racing-team-from-2027/1086855
