Top class debut
Nicolò Bulega makes his MotoGP debut for the final two races of the season. He joins the Ducati Lenovo Team as a replacement for Marc Márquez. The Portuguese GP in Portimão (7-9 November) will be his first race on the Desmosedici GP.
Bulega recently tested the Desmosedici GP at Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto. That session gave him his first experience with Ducati Corse's machine. For Bulega, it is a great opportunity, but also a gamble: he has little time to adapt.
What this means for Bulega and Ducati
Bulega comes over from WorldSBK and Supersport. At Aruba.it-Racing Ducati, he was a defining rider in the production racer class and as a test rider for Ducati, he is already closely involved with the factory. Ducati sees in him a rider who can contribute to the development of the Desmosedici GP, especially in view of next season.
There is also a milestone to celebrate in Portimão. The race will be his 100th entry in the world championship: so far, he has started 50 times in Moto3 and 49 times in Moto2.
- Team: Ducati Lenovo Team
- Events: Portuguese GP (Portimão) and Valencia GP
- Background: 2023 Supersport world champion; recent Superbike topper
“It's every kid's dream to debut in MotoGP; I'm going to approach this calmly and give everything.”
Short CV and career
Nicolò Bulega (1999, Montecchio Emilia) started racing early. He won national youth titles and quickly climbed through to the world championships. In 2015, he made his first Moto3 appearance as a wildcard. This was followed by full seasons in Moto3 and Moto2.
In 2022, he left the MotoGP paddock to join Ducati. With Team Aruba in Supersport, he won the world championship in 2023. His Superbike debut in 2024 immediately earned him a strong second place in the overall standings; he repeated that result in 2025.
Ducati on the choice
Luigi Dall'Igna stressed that Bulega has been part of the Ducati family since 2022. Ducati saw his achievements in Supersport and Superbike and appreciates his role as a test rider. The chance to ride in the last two GPs fits with his further development and preparation for test work with new tyres next year, according to the team.
For fans, this means Portimão and Valencia will get two races with a young, convincing rider on a factory bike. Bulega has expressed few expectations. However, he is clearly motivated to make the most of this opportunity.
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