Gresini MotoGP rider Fermin Aldeguer has appeared on the provisional entry list for the Brazilian Grand Prix on 22 March, as he begins the final stretch of his recovery.
The Spaniard suffered a serious injury on 8 January while training on a road bike at the Aspar Circuit in Guadassuar. Fracturing the diaphysis of the left femur, the bone that connects the hip with the knee, he had to undergo in Barcelona the following day.
After the operation, the rider remain under observation in the hospital for several days, before being able to begin a delicate recovery that now reaches its final phase.
The ‘Rookie of the Year’ was unable to take part in any of the pre-season tests, and he also missed the start of the campaign at last weekend’s Thailand Grand Prix, where he was replaced by Ducati’s veteran test rider Michele Pirro.
Motorsport.com has learned that Aldeguer is set to travel to the Autodromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiania later this month for MotoGP’s first grand prix in Brazil in two decades.
On Thursday, 19 March, he will undergo a check-up with MotoGP’s doctor Angel Charte at the circuit itself, with the hope of receiving medical clearance and being able to ride the Ducati GP25 from first practice on Friday.
The development follows the 20-year-old appearing on the entry list for Brazil, which remains provisional and allows changes until 24 hours before the start of the grand prix.
Fermin Aldeguer, Gresini Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Aldeguer’s injury occurred as part of a two-day private test organised by world champion Marc Marquez.
A fracture like this normally requires a recovery of between four and six months. However, Aldeguer has carried out a high-intensity rehabilitation, using the latest advances in equipment to shorten this timeframe.
It’s now eight weeks since he underwent surgery, and the Spaniard is expected to carry out some testing with a production bike before travelling to Brazil in the same week of the grand prix.
No wildcards in Brazil
No wildcard or substitute riders are entered for the Brazilian GP, with the list of MotoGP participants being completed with the 22 regular riders.
No guest riders are on the list in Moto2 either, but three regular riders must pass the medical examination before the weekend begins: Sergio Garcia, Adrian Huertas and Luca Lunetta. The last-named has had to undergo surgery after breaking his right foot and, therefore, his chances of racing in Brazil are slim.
For the moment it is unknown whether the HDR SpeedRS Team will look for a replacement in case he is definitively ruled out.
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