Rookie Fermin Aldeguer celebrated a monumental achievement by securing his first career victory in MotoGP at the Indonesia Grand Prix, amidst a race filled with unexpected turns and a shocking crash involving newly crowned champion Marc Marquez. The event unfolded dramatically on Sunday, with Marquez, who had recently clinched his seventh world title, colliding with fellow racer Marco Bezzecchi just moments into the race.
Aldeguer, riding for Gresini Racing, demonstrated exceptional skill and determination as he overtook KTM’s Pedro Acosta on the 10th lap, ultimately finishing with a commanding lead over his competitors. This victory not only marks a significant milestone in Aldeguer’s career but also serves as a testament to his resilience, especially following a heart-wrenching second-place finish in Saturday’s sprint race, where he had led for most of the 13 laps before being edged out by Bezzecchi.
The podium saw Acosta finishing in second place, with Aldeguer’s teammate Alex Marquez rounding out the top three. Aldeguer’s triumph makes him the first rookie to win a MotoGP race since Jorge Martin’s victory at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2021, and at just 20 years old, he becomes the second youngest winner in the history of the sport.
As the race unfolded, Marquez faced a challenging start. Pole-sitter Bezzecchi struggled to maintain his position, dropping to sixth place after the initial turns. In a bid to reclaim his lead, Bezzecchi attempted to push past Marquez, but the maneuver resulted in a collision that sent both riders crashing into the gravel at high speed. Following the incident, Marquez appeared to be in considerable pain, hunched over on the track for several minutes before managing to stand and move away while holding his shoulder.
This unfortunate crash continued the Spaniard’s streak of misfortune at the Mandalika International Circuit, where he has yet to complete a Grand Prix after four attempts. Despite the collision, there appeared to be no lingering animosity between Marquez and Bezzecchi, as they exchanged a brief handshake before Marquez was escorted to the medical center.
Post-race updates revealed that Marquez had sustained an injury to his right collarbone due to the crash, prompting Ducati to release a statement confirming the injury and announcing that he would travel to Madrid for further medical evaluations and treatment decisions. This injury is particularly concerning as it affects the same shoulder that Marquez fractured during the 2020 season opener in Jerez, which had sidelined him for an extended period and required multiple surgeries.
The situation for Ducati worsened shortly thereafter when two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia lost control of his bike, resulting in a crash that left him visibly frustrated as he gestured towards the sky in despair. Bagnaia’s struggles throughout this season have been well-documented, adding to the challenges faced by the team.
In a lighter note during the eventful race day, KTM Ajo’s Jose Antonio Rueda secured the Moto3 title with a victory in his category, marking a significant accomplishment for the young racer.
As the dust settles on the Indonesian Grand Prix, Fermin Aldeguer stands out not only for his remarkable victory but also as a symbol of hope for the future of MotoGP, showcasing that the sport’s next generation is ready to make their mark on the world stage. Meanwhile, the MotoGP community awaits further updates on Marquez’s condition and his plans moving forward, as fans and fellow racers alike hope for a swift recovery for the champion.
