Fermin Aldeguer: “Better on the bike than when I walk” ahead of MotoGP return

Fermin Aldeguer says he is “better on the bike than when I walk” as he prepares to return to MotoGP action in Brazil this weekend.

The Gresini rider estimates he's at around 70% fitness after fracturing his femur in a training accident on 8 January.

A race winner in his rookie season, Aldeguer's injury meant he missed all five days of official pre-season testing as well as the Thai season opener, where he was replaced by Michele Pirro.

He will now return to a Desmosedici for the first time since last November’s Valencia test when he takes to the Goiania track on Friday.

“It's nice to be back. I'm happy to be here in Brazil because some weeks after the injury, I talked with my personal trainer, all my team, and my goal was to arrive here in Brazil,” Aldeguer told MotoGP.com.

“For sure, Thailand was a little bit on the limit, but I’m happy with the [rehabilitation] work we’ve done.”

Having only returned to a street bike last week, Aldeguer admits he is still far from full fitness.

“It's difficult to know, I have to try on a MotoGP bike, but I’m maybe 70% [fit] more or less,” he said.

“I tried a [street] bike last week, two times. On the bike, I feel better than when I walk! This is strange, but it's like this.

“[But] we’ve worked on all the mobility and strength, and we arrive in a good situation. I’m happy.”

As well as understanding his own physical limits, Aldeguer - who said a top ten would be a good result this weekend - will join his rivals in learning a brand-new circuit.

“I think it helps me a little bit because all riders start without data and nobody knows the track,” he said.

“Also, I like this style of track. It's fast, but it's small. I think it's a good opportunity to come back in a good way.”

Team-mate Alex Marquez, now on factory-spec machinery, also heads into the event seeking his first points of the season after a difficult weekend in Thailand.

Franco Morbidelli, who joins Aldeguer on a satellite spec 'GP25' Ducati, finished eighth at Buriram.