Fermin Aldeguer will have to go through Q1 at Misano: “A missed opportunity”

Fermin Aldeguer will have to go through Q1 at the San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix. The first day of action at Misano left the Team Gresini rider with some regret, as he had long been in positions that would have guaranteed him direct access to the second phase of qualifying.

Complicating matters for the Spaniard was a front-end issue with his bike during the decisive phase of the session. This problem prevented him from fully capitalizing on the opportunity and will force him to tackle Q1 on Saturday morning.

Marco Bezzecchi finished at the top of the timesheets, clocking a time of 1:30.144. The Aprilia rider finished ahead of Marc and Alex Márquez, while Fabio Di Giannantonio posted the fourth-fastest time ahead of Franco Morbidelli and Pedro Acosta.

For Aldeguer, the feeling wasn’t the same as it was at Aragon, but the Gresini rider is still trying to find a silver lining in having to face Q1. A few extra laps could, in fact, help him improve his feel for the bike before potentially advancing to Q2.

““We were in Q2 practically the entire session, and then a problem with the front end of the bike cost us an opportunity,” said Fermin Aldeguer. “Maybe the feel was better in Aragon than it is here, but that’s exactly why Q1 could end up being a good thing. Who knows, maybe a few more kilometers will give us a boost—provided I manage to make it through to Q2. Physically, I’m feeling good, getting better all the time, even if there’s still something missing, of course.”

For the Spaniard, the primary goal on Saturday will therefore be to get past the hurdle of Q1 and secure one of the available spots to then battle for his position on the starting grid. Qualifying is scheduled for 10:50 a.m., while the Sprint Race will start at 3:00 p.m.