Fermin Aldeguer claims fourth during Portimao Moto2 test, future MotoGP star?

16 year-old Fermin Aldeguer impresses again after finishing fourth fastest during the Official Portimao Moto2 test.

While MotoGP hype continues to surround Moto3 world champion Pedro Acosta, and rightfully so after the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider finished his first official Moto2 test quickest, another Spaniard in the form of Aldeguer looks set to take Moto2 by storm in 2022. 

Aldeguer won nine out of 11 races in what turned out to be a thoroughly dominant 2021 FIM CEV European Moto2 campaign, while also claiming a best of seventh during his eight world championship appearances last season (Aragon). 

The Speed UP rider, who finished +0.536s behind Acosta on combined times, did suffer a small crash whilst on a lap that would have been his fastest, but even so, the young Spaniard is beginning to flash the type of ability Acosta and last season’s rookie sensation Raul Fernandez have.  

Speaking after the three day test, Aldeguer added: "After a total of five days of testing, two in Jerez and three in Portimao, we have improved the bike from many points of view, also thanks to the innovations that Boscoscuro has brought for 2022. 

"We made and tried different changes every day, especially on the front line, that's where our greatest weakness lies. 

"We managed to find the right way. I'm sorry about the crash in the second session of day three because I was on my fastest lap, but the feeling is definitely good, we're ready for Qatar."

To give you an even clearer idea of the level of performance Aldeguer demonstrated at Portimao, the Murcia-born rider was 1.4s quicker than team-mate and 13-time Moto3 race winner Romano Fenati. 

The latter, who returns to Moto2 for the first time since being banned in 2018 - had his race licence suspended until the following year after grabbing the brake lever of Stefano Manzi during the Misano race - will also be looking to complete his first full season in the intermediate category. 

Fenati admitted 'we weren’t as fast as we’d like' during the three day Portimao test ahead of what will be his 11th season in grand prix racing. 

Fenati said: "We worked a lot on the set-up, but also on the seating position. Here in Portimao we weren't as fast as we'd like, but we're happy with the work we've done because we made progress thanks to the mistakes. 

"A new World Championship season starts in a few days, my eleventh, and I'm really happy to be back in Moto2."