Nicolo Bulega, the World Superbike Championship leader, is reported to have escaped major injuries following a high-speed crash during a Ducati 850cc MotoGP test at Mugello this week.
The incident occurred around midday on Wednesday at the Arrabbiata 2 corner, a notoriously challenging section of the Italian circuit. According to GPOne, Bulega suffered a violent highside and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for checks. Fortunately, scans revealed no fractures, and the Italian has since been discharged to recover at home.
The crash comes as a significant blow to Ducati, which is aggressively developing its 850cc machine for the 2027 MotoGP regulations. Bulega has been a key figure in the bike's development, as he is set to make his full-time MotoGP debut with the VR46 squad next year. The Mugello test was supposed to provide valuable data, but it ended prematurely.
The repercussions were immediate. Bulega was scheduled to participate in the second in-season Pirelli tyre test on 850cc bikes in Austria after the Austrian Grand Prix, but his involvement now appears doubtful. Moreover, he faces the upcoming World Superbike round at Cremona next weekend. Given his utter dominance in the 2026 WorldSBK season—winning all but one race—Ducati may prefer to secure the title before risking further testing.
Bulega currently leads the WorldSBK standings with a comfortable margin. His near-perfect record puts him on the verge of clinching the crown at Cremona, with only three rounds remaining. The team's priority will be to secure that title, especially after a crash that could have been much worse. Ducati cannot afford to lose their key rider at such a crucial stage of the championship.
The incident also highlights the fierce competition in the development of 850cc bikes ahead of MotoGP's 2027 rule change. Ducati is rumoured to be an early favourite, and Bulega's testing role is integral to their strategy. However, this crash serves as a reminder of the inherent risks in testing, particularly when adapting to a new bike at a demanding track like Mugello.
Bulega's testing deal with Ducati was always expected to lead to a full-time seat in 2027. At one point, that opportunity seemed uncertain, but Fabio Di Giannantonio's factory KTM deal opened a pathway for Bulega. Ahead of the San Marino Grand Prix, the VR46 team announced Bulega's 2027 deal, marking a full-circle moment for the rider who began his grand prix career with VR46 in Moto3 in 2016.
With recovery expected to be swift, Bulega's focus now shifts to Cremona. If he can wrap up the WorldSBK title there, he can fully turn his attention to preparing for MotoGP 2027. However, the Mugello crash is a stark reminder that the path to the top is never without its perils.
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