Ducati confirms it is ‘trying to make a deal’ to sign Moto2 hotshot Fermin Aldeguer

Ducati has for the first time revealed its interest in signing Moto2 race winner Fermin Aldeguer for the 2025 MotoGP World Championship season and beyond.

The 18-year old burst to prominence during the closing stages of the 2023 Moto2 season with a run of form that saw him claim three pole positions and four wins during the final five events, lifting him to third in the final standings.

Set to start the 2024 Moto2 season as the hot favourite to succeed Pedro Acosta – who makes his MotoGP debut this year with GasGas/KTM – as World Champion, Aldeguer’s eye-catching form has reportedly attracted interest from across the manufacturers.

After there was some talk that he could be tapped by Honda or Ducati, it is the latter manufacturer that has emerged as the leading candidate for his signature with reports that he was spotted in Borgo Panigale over the winter to discuss a potential deal.

Now Ducati Corse bosses Davide Tardozzi and Gigi Dall’Igna have gone on the record for the first time to confirm the manufacturer’s interest in him, adding that it is negotiating a deal even if one hasn’t been agreed as yet.

“Fermin Aldeguer is a guy that is very fast,” said Tardozzi. “He showed his potential at the end of last year and he is very young, so I think Ducati is thinking and trying to make a deal with him.

“We are discussing, we are in a good point but nothing is done yet. We will see. It will be his choice.

Dall’Igna added: “We haven’t signed a contract with him, he is one of the riders of the future so for us he is an interesting guy.”

Ducati is keen to supplement its up-and-coming proteges having settled in hiring another wave of next generation riders in favour of nurturing the likes of Pecco Bagnaia, Enea Bastianini, Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi, all of whom have arrived at the manufacturer since 2019.

It is unclear where Aldeguer would be placed should he join Ducati, though it is tipped he could end up at Pramac Racing depending on whether Jorge Martin re-signs for 2025 or the team holds onto Franco Morbidelli.