Nicolo Bulega has finally secured the MotoGP seat he has long dreamed of. The Italian rider will join Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team from the 2027 season, replacing Franco Morbidelli. He will partner Fermin Aldeguer, forming a fresh duo ready for the new MotoGP era.
This announcement ends months of speculation about Bulega's future. Known as one of the strongest riders in WorldSBK, his step up to the premier class is a new chapter eagerly awaited by many. Full support comes from Ducati, the manufacturer that has guided his career since his Supersport days.
Bulega's road to MotoGP has not been easy. He began his world championship career in Moto3 in 2015 after winning the CEV Moto3 Junior title. However, results in the lightweight and intermediate classes were underwhelming, prompting a switch to WorldSBK. That decision proved crucial, as he found his best form there.
In 2023, Bulega became the Supersport World Champion with an impressive record: 16 wins from 24 races. A year later, he stepped up to Superbike with Aruba.it Racing-Ducati and immediately impressed, scoring six wins and 24 podiums to finish runner-up. The 2025 season also ended in second place, but 14 wins further convinced Ducati he was ready for the next step.
The 2026 season has been his crowning glory before the move. Bulega has dominated WorldSBK, leading the standings with 491 points out of a possible 496, plus 23 wins in the first 24 races. His consistency helped Aruba.it Racing-Ducati clinch the team title and Ducati secure the constructors' championship early. Now, he leaves WorldSBK at the peak of his career, with a strong chance of taking the riders' title at season's end.
Bulega's departure is a significant loss for Aruba.it. The team that nurtured him since 2022 must find a worthy replacement. For VR46, however, his arrival is a long-term investment. With experience and a winning mentality, he is expected to help Valentino Rossi's squad fight at the sharp end of MotoGP.
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