– Nicolo Bulega is currently the fastest rider in the Superbike World Championship and is winning one race after another. The Italian’s career was almost over. As a member of Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Academy, Bulega made his debut in the Moto3 class at the 2015 season finale.
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He then rode for VR46 for three years in the smallest class and then one in the Moto2 class. But Bulega never made the breakthrough. With VR46, he only achieved two podium finishes in four years, both in his 2016 Moto3 debut season.
Eventually, they parted ways. The Italian rode two more Moto2 years with the Gresini team, but success continued to elude him. Therefore, Bulega moved to the Supersport World Championship in 2022 and was given a chance there by Aruba-Ducati.
The breakthrough came in the second season. Bulega dominated and became Supersport World Champion. Ducati promoted him to the factory team in the Superbike World Championship and the Italian won his debut race in the highest production-based class directly at Phillip Island.
Bulega immediately became runner-up behind Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW) and overshadowed his teammate, Alvaro Bautista, in the process. In 2025, Bulega was again the second dominant rider of the season alongside Razgatlioglu, but it was once again “only” the runner-up spot in the world championship.
Due to his form, Ducati decided to involve him more closely in the MotoGP project. On the one hand, Bulega was allowed to compete in two MotoGP races in the fall of 2025 as a replacement for Marc Marquez; on the other hand, he will strengthen the test team alongside veteran Michele Pirro in the future.
In addition, Bulega dominated the start of the 2026 Superbike World Championship season and won all races at Phillip Island and in Portimao. All these factors suggested that Ducati could bring him into MotoGP for 2027 and place him in a satellite team.
Currently no MotoGP offer for Bulega
“Does he deserve it? Yes, absolutely,” his manager Alberto Martinelli is quoted by GPOne.com. “Because of the path he has taken, he would deserve a chance and would not take anyone’s place.”
Nevertheless, he has to admit: “At the moment, however, the situation is complicated. There are many riders and few bikes. In addition, very strong young riders are coming up from Moto2 who will take several spots.”
By this, Martinelli means, among others, Daniel Holgado, who will ride for Gresini-Ducati next year. David Alonso is a candidate at Honda and, according to the paddock grapevine, is set to become Fabio Quartararo’s teammate.
Fermin Aldeguer is set at VR46-Ducati. VR46 could certainly imagine a return for Bulega, but given Fabio Di Giannantonio’s performance in the first three race weekends, he has also made a clear recommendation.
At the race weekend in Austin, VR46 team boss Alessio “Uccio” Salucci said in an interview with Sky Italy: “We never questioned ‘Diggia’. We always thought about continuing with him and will make him an offer soon.”
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Since a return of Enea Bastianini from Tech3-KTM to Gresini is also on the horizon, there might be no room for Bulega in the Ducati satellite teams. “Today we have no written offer in hand,” says his manager Martinelli about the current situation.
“We are working and talking to everyone, but at the moment nothing is fixed. At the moment everything is very delicate: KTM, Honda, Gresini. There are still many puzzle pieces that have to come together. Everyone is waiting, and no one is really closing deals.”
Bulega not first choice: His manager gives reasons
Despite the dominance in the Superbike World Championship, Martinelli must acknowledge: “Nicolo is not the first choice, otherwise it would have been settled already. We have to be ready if an opportunity arises. At Ducati, the bikes seem to be almost all taken.”
“Maybe one is still free, but that depends on many movements. It doesn’t take much to change everything, but at the moment it’s a very uncertain situation, and then there’s another aspect that plays a role.”
And which one? “In my opinion, other factors also count, such as nationality. The MotoGP system today takes a balance into account. I am convinced that Nicolo would be at the front if he were given a technically solid opportunity in MotoGP.”
“I have no doubt about that. But in this situation, I understand the teams: after a few races, it’s difficult to make final decisions. You would need more time to really be able to judge the riders.”
What if it doesn’t work out with MotoGP?
At 26, Bulega is not yet among the older riders and is practically the same generation as the current MotoGP riders, from Francesco Bagnaia to Joan Mir to Jorge Martin. But Aldeguer, Acosta, Alonso, and Holgado are younger and the “new” generation.
Are the MotoGP doors therefore closed for Bulega in this mix? “As long as there is hope, we are working towards it,” says his manager. “If the jump to the other paddock doesn’t work out, we will re-evaluate everything calmly.”
“We are all doing our best. If that’s not enough in the end, it will mean that someone else was given preference. At the moment, Nicolo has been given an opportunity as a test rider with the MotoGP 850. We are grateful to Ducati for this great opportunity.”
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“However, his dream is MotoGP, as he himself has said several times, and that is why our efforts are focused on this goal.” This year, Bulega could become only the second Italian Superbike World Champion after Max Biaggi.
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