VR46 has officially announced on Wednesday that WorldSBK championship leader Nicolo Bulega will join the team for the 2027 MotoGP season, partnering Fermin Aldeguer. Bulega replaces Franco Morbidelli, who is expected to make the switch to Ducati in WorldSBK.
The deal is a one-year contract, with Bulega contracted to Ducati and provided with a factory-spec bike, just like Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta, and Aldeguer. This marks the first time Valentino Rossi's squad fields two factory bikes, with Ducati covering most of the expenses.
"Getting to MotoGP is a dream, as I will make my debut with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team," Bulega said. "I chose this team because I have always been linked to them: I was part of the VR46 Riders Academy when I was a child, so I know everyone very well. I don't want to set specific goals. I want to try to do well, go race by race and do the best job possible."
With Bulega's arrival, he will be the only Italian rider on a Ducati in 2027, amidst a sea of Spanish riders. Meanwhile, the Gresini pairing will feature Joan Mir and Dani Holgado.
The move marks Bulega's return to the MotoGP paddock after leaving in 2021. The 26-year-old showed great promise in Moto3 with VR46's support but struggled to adapt to Moto2, eventually losing the academy's backing. He rebuilt his career from scratch in WorldSSP in 2022, becoming champion in 2023 with 16 wins, before graduating to WorldSBK where he has since impressed, leading the standings with 26 wins from 27 races this season.
Bulega is no stranger to Ducati's MotoGP machinery, having substituted for injured Marc Marquez twice last year and participating in the 2026 pre-season test. His quality, along with his experience on smaller bikes and Pirelli tires, could make him a frontrunner in his debut season.
Meanwhile, Franco Morbidelli's MotoGP career comes to an end after nine seasons in the premier class, where he was runner-up in 2020, just 13 points shy of the title. He previously claimed the Moto2 crown in 2017. The 32-year-old now embarks on a new challenge with the factory Ducati team in WorldSBK, which has been ruthlessly dominant this year.
Baca Juga
Nicolo Bulega resmi kembali ke MotoGP 2027 bersama VR46, menggantikan Franco Morbidelli. Pemimpin klasemen WorldSBK itu akan mengendarai Ducati pabrikan.
VR46 resmi mengontrak Nicolo Bulega untuk MotoGP 2027. Bulega akan menggantikan Franco Morbidelli dan menjadi rekan setim Fermin Aldeguer dengan motor pabrikan Ducati.
Nicolo Bulega pindah ke MotoGP 2027 bersama VR46 Ducati. Pablo Nieto yakin perubahan regulasi dan pengalaman WorldSBK-nya membuat transisi ini semudah mungkin.
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