Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP™) continued his remarkable rookie campaign at the Indonesian GP, with the #54 securing his first MotoGP victory at 20 years and 183 days. He also became the first MotoGP rider to win in their rookie season since Jorge Martin at the 2021 Styrian GP. The records come after an incredible ride from Aldeguer, who controlled the pace, taking the chequered flag with a 6.987s advantage over the rest of the field.
Aldeguer’s win placed him second on the all-time youngest MotoGP winner list, behind only Marc Marquez, who won at 20 years and 63 days at COTA in 2013, just 120 days younger than the #54. The Spaniard joins an illustrious group, placing himself 13 days ahead of Freddie Spencer, who sits third on the all-time youngest winners list.
He also puts himself 44 days ahead of Norifumi Abe and Dani Pedrosa, who both took victory at 20 years and 227 days. The #54 also sits ahead of Randy Mamola (20 years and 239 days), Jorge Lorenzo (20 years and 345 days), Mike Hailwood (21 years and 75 days), Fabio Quartararo (21 years and 90 days) and none other than Valentino Rossi (21 years and 144 days). It’s true Grand Prix royalty and hopefully a sign of things to come.
Speaking post-GP, Aldeguer added that these achievements crossed his mind while leading: "I was thinking about this during the race. I was thinking that since Martin, there has not been a rookie who has won a race. I’m second behind Marc, and this helped me focus."
Aldeguer’s attention now turns to Round 19 of the season at the Liqui Moly Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, where he now faces the challenge of Phillip Island for the first time on a MotoGP bike!