Nicolo Bulega has opted out of Monday’s 850cc MotoGP test with Pirelli at the Red Bull Ring. The decision comes after a heavy crash while testing Ducati’s 2027 prototype at Mugello earlier this week. Although he escaped injury, the Italian chose not to take any unnecessary risks ahead of the Cremona WorldSBK round next weekend.
“I’m fine, just a knock. But I really want to win in Cremona and I don’t want to take any unnecessary risks, especially considering the weather these days in Austria,” Bulega told Sky Italia. His statement underscores his focus on the Superbike World Championship, where he currently leads the standings.
Bulega, who combines Ducati MotoGP development with his WorldSBK campaign, has often been the rider to beat in private 850cc tests. However, his priority now is to clinch the 2026 WorldSBK title as early as possible. This season, he has been beaten only once, by Aruba.it Ducati teammate Iker Lecuona at Donington Park. A win at Cremona could secure him the championship.
The Red Bull Ring test is the second official Pirelli test open to MotoGP riders. As was the case at Brno in June, only two or three riders from each manufacturer are expected to participate. It serves as an opportunity for developers to try new tyre compounds and gather data for next season.
Bulega’s absence is a disappointment for fans eager to see him on a MotoGP machine. But it’s a smart move given his busy schedule and his ambitions in WorldSBK. The minor injury from Mugello could worsen if he pushed too hard, especially with unpredictable weather in Austria.
For Ducati, Bulega’s absence is not a major setback as they have other riders to handle development duties. However, the data he has collected remains valuable. Meanwhile, Bulega’s focus is now entirely on Cremona, where he has a strong chance to wrap up the title.
The WorldSBK season has been dominated by Bulega and Lecuona. Both have shown consistent performance, but Bulega has a slight edge. If he maintains momentum, the championship will be within reach. Cremona will be the stage to prove that skipping the MotoGP test was the right call.
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