Nicolo Bulega is set to return to the VR46 fold for the 2027 MotoGP season, and the team is confident that Ducati's new 850cc machine will be a force to be reckoned with. Team manager Pablo Nieto expressed his delight at welcoming Bulega back, who began his grand prix career with the team. "We are very happy he's coming back home," Nieto told MotoGP pit lane reporter Jack Appleyard at Misano. "He's doing an amazing job [in WorldSBK] and also it's very important that he's the test rider for Ducati. He's doing a super job as a test rider."
Bulega is currently enjoying a stellar 2026 WorldSBK season, having won all but one race so far. The Italian could officially clinch the 2026 WorldSBK title next time out at Cremona. However, his MotoGP future is already secure after being confirmed at VR46 for next season. The combination of Superbike racing experience and MotoGP development makes him a valuable asset for the team and Ducati.
Despite Bulega's testing advantage, Nieto downplayed the head start he might gain over the MotoGP regulars. "This is MotoGP. All the riders here are superstars, and in one or two days they will get into the rhythm [with the new bikes and tyres]," he explained. According to Nieto, quick adaptation is the norm at the highest level, and experienced riders will soon find their feet.
Nieto highlighted Monday's Red Bull Ring test - the second outing open to selected race riders, with all manufacturers together on track - as an important indication of whether the new Ducati is as fast as it appears. "The Monday test after Austria will be very important to see if we really have some advantage or not," Nieto said. "It's important that [Bulega] already knows the tyres and bike, the development of the bike. But the most important thing is that, at the moment, [the Ducati 850] looks like it's very fast."
Bulega himself is a big fan of the new Ducati 850. "I really like the Ducati 850. It's a very good bike, with the new tyres, Pirelli, that I like because I use them also in Superbike," he said at Misano. "I've made a couple of good tests, and it's nice to try the bike before next season." This statement shows that Bulega has adapted well to the new technical package, which could be a valuable asset for his rookie MotoGP season.
Ducati, like the other MotoGP manufacturers, is yet to confirm which riders will be on track for the post-race test in Austria. However, Bulega's involvement in the development of the 850cc machine is a strong signal that he will be part of the project. With his impressive WorldSBK performances and technical feedback, Bulega could be key for Ducati to maintain their MotoGP dominance.
Bulega's return to VR46 also has sentimental value. The Tavullia-based team is where he began his grand prix career, and now he returns as a much more mature rider. If the Ducati 850 is indeed as fast as it looks in private testing, then the Bulega-VR46 pairing could be one of the intriguing stories of the 2027 MotoGP season. For now, Bulega's focus is on finishing the WorldSBK season with the title before fully switching to his new MotoGP adventure.
Baca Juga
Pramac Yamaha akan membawa upgrade untuk MotoGP Austria di Red Bull Ring. Borsoi berharap progres setup bisa dikonfirmasi di trek yang menantang mesin V4.
Ai Ogura akan kembali ke MotoGP Austria setelah cedera jempol, namun harus lulus tes medis Kamis. Simak kabar terbaru dari Trackhouse Racing.
Joan Mir absen di MotoGP Austria karena kelainan darah, Honda tunjuk Takaaki Nakagami sebagai pengganti. Simak berita lengkapnya di Sportrik.
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