Franco Morbidelli Relishes Thrilling Battle with Aldeguer at 2025 Aragon MotoGP

In the 2025 Aragon MotoGP on June 8, Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina VR46 Ducati) engaged in a gripping duel with rookie Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati), securing fifth place after two high-speed contacts on the back straight. Despite a risky race, Morbidelli called it a “beautiful battle” that surged with adrenaline. With Marc Marquez dominating the podium, will Morbidelli carry this momentum to Misano?

While the top four—Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia, and Pedro Acosta—finished in their opening-lap order, Morbidelli and Aldeguer lit up the race with a fierce battle for fifth. From lap 2, Morbidelli led, but Aldeguer kept attacking, sparking fairing contact on the back straight during lap 19, including at the final corner. “Pure adrenaline was rushing through my head,” Morbidelli said, dismissing claims of aggression and calling it “just a nice battle.” Though he won, the fight cost time to challenge Acosta for fourth, finishing 0.3 seconds ahead of Aldeguer.

Morbidelli admitted the Aragon race was “sketchy,” with three critical moments, including two near-crashes at Turns 9 and 10. “I almost crashed three times,” he said. Poor starts in the Sprint (10th) and main race forced him to take big risks to recover. Despite fifth place, he was frustrated by the GP24’s lack of early-race pace compared to other Ducatis. Still, beating Aldeguer brought satisfaction, especially after a “thrilling fight” that captivated fans.

Marquez widened his championship lead with the Aragon win, 32 points ahead of Alex Marquez and 93 points over Bagnaia. Morbidelli, sixth in the standings with 62 points, remains consistent on the GP24 but lags far behind the leaders. Aldeguer, eighth with 48 points, continues to impress as a rookie, notably after his Sprint podium. Brad Binder’s lap 12 crash opened the door for Morbidelli and Aldeguer to claim fifth and sixth, highlighting the intensity of the midfield battle.

The Morbidelli-Aldeguer duel drew attention, with Aldeguer praising Morbidelli’s experience as a “tough rider.” Physical contact, including “elbow-to-knee” clashes, sparked paddock debates about racing limits. Morbidelli, whose VR46 contract ends in 2025, faces pressure with Toprak Razgatlioglu joining Pramac Yamaha in 2026. Meanwhile, Aldeguer, eyeing a factory Ducati seat by 2027, bolsters his reputation as a future star.

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