Fermin Aldeguer Attacks Without Warning – Miguel Oliveira Frustrated by Ruined Race

In a tense MotoGP exchange that left both riders fuming for different reasons, Fermin Aldeguer and Miguel Oliveira were caught in an untelevised yet pivotal incident during the sixth lap of their battle for 13th place. The Turn 7 collision not only spoiled Oliveira’s race but added more scrutiny to Aldeguer’s already rocky rookie campaign. While Oliveira was visibly irritated by the damage, Aldeguer found himself dumbfounded by a penalty he believes was never properly communicated — and which he insists was unjustified.

Fermin Aldeguer’s Aggressive Move Sparks Controversy

The conflict occurred during a mid-pack scrap, where every point matters for riders fighting to establish or resurrect their seasons. Fermin Aldeguer, known for his fierce and fearless riding style, attempted a risky overtake at Turn 7. The maneuver ultimately forced Miguel Oliveira wide — all the way out to the long lap loop, losing five positions in the process.

Despite the Race Direction’s decision to penalize Aldeguer for “irresponsible riding,” the Gresini rider was adamant that he hadn’t done anything wrong.

“I don’t know [what happened],” Aldeguer said with a shake of his head. “I have the penalty, now I go to race direction because nobody’s told me anything, they only gave me the penalty.”

Confusion deepened as Aldeguer expressed frustration with how the penalty was handled. He revealed that no message about the long lap came during the race — only after its completion. As a result, what should’ve been a ride-through equivalent penalty was converted to a three-second time penalty after the checkered flag.

“It’s strange. You have to inform the riders, the team. The race direction could’ve given me the long lap or told me to drop one position, I’d do it, it’s OK. But I don’t know.”

Oliveira’s Race Undone by a Split-Second Decision

While Aldeguer fought the ruling, Miguel Oliveira was left reeling from yet another incident that derailed his efforts. The Trackhouse Yamaha rider was running outside the top 10 after a frustrating weekend of setup struggles, and the collision was the last straw in a race that offered him few opportunities to fight back.

“I was at Turn 7, already with my knee down. And Fermin just made some space where it didn’t exist. And pushed me off,” Oliveira said, visibly annoyed.

His annoyance is understandable — it wasn’t the first time he’s had a run-in with Aldeguer this season. The earlier clash resulted in an injury for Oliveira and a penalty for Aldeguer. Though many assumed the Portuguese veteran would be fuming, Oliveira was more dismissive than angry.

When told Aldeguer claimed he “didn’t feel the contact,” Oliveira responded with a sarcastic smirk:
“Yeah. I’m sure he also didn’t see me.“

Stewards Explain the Decision – But Questions Remain

The official explanation from the stewards defined Aldeguer’s move as:

“An unfair manoeuvre against another rider that didn’t result in a crash but caused an adverse effect (loss of multiple positions).“

According to reports, the available footage doesn’t conclusively show whether there was contact — but it does clearly depict how late and abrupt Aldeguer’s move was. Oliveira had no choice but to pick the bike up and run off track, which in MotoGP terms is more than enough to justify the penalty.

Still, the way the penalty was administered has come under scrutiny. Riders and teams typically receive immediate communication of penalties so they can be served within the race. In this case, the penalty only showed up on-screen with vague wording — and was later transformed into a time addition post-race.

Aldeguer’s frustration may be rooted more in the procedural breakdown than the actual ruling.

Recurring Patterns and Rising Tensions

The incident highlights growing tensions between the two riders — tensions that go beyond one afternoon’s drama. While Aldeguer is one of the most promising young talents in MotoGP, his aggressive style is starting to draw unwanted comparisons to other rookies who entered with fanfare but struggled with clean racing.

For Oliveira, it’s another frustrating chapter in a season already marked by setbacks, injuries, and mechanical difficulties with Yamaha’s inconsistent package. The Portuguese rider has kept his cool in public — but clearly, he’s running low on patience.

Oliveira’s Struggles with Yamaha Setup Continue

Even without the incident, Oliveira admitted that the bike’s behavior wasn’t what he expected. After making setup changes in the morning, particularly concerning rear grip, the Yamaha reacted in unexpected ways, compromising Oliveira’s performance even before the Aldeguer clash.

“It was already a difficult race for me,” he acknowledged. “But of course, losing more places like that doesn’t help. You try to recover, but it’s too late.”

His weekend underscores the persistent inconsistency of the Yamaha, a bike that continues to underperform compared to its Japanese and European rivals.

The Bigger Picture – Will Race Direction Improve Clarity?

While Oliveira and Aldeguer may both feel wronged for different reasons, one thing is clear: Race Direction’s communication protocols are under the spotlight. When riders are penalized, they must be informed in a timely and precise manner. In this case, the delay and confusion surrounding Aldeguer’s penalty undermined confidence in the process — even if the ruling itself was ultimately fair.

MotoGP prides itself on clean yet aggressive racing, and incidents like these test that balance. For Aldeguer, this could be a learning moment — a reminder that aggressive moves must also respect the boundaries of safety and space. For Oliveira, it’s another obstacle in a season where momentum has been hard to find.

Looking Ahead: Will There Be Fallout?

With the dust barely settled and both riders moving on to the next round, the paddock will be watching closely. Will Aldeguer alter his style? Will Oliveira’s Yamaha woes continue? And perhaps most crucially, will the Race Direction improve their transparency before the next controversial move lights up the screen?

In a championship where tenths of a second and millimeters of space decide destinies, communication, respect, and timing aren’t luxuries — they’re essentials. And when they’re absent, as they were in this messy Turn 7 drama, frustration is guaranteed.