Dominant in WSBK, but without a seat in MotoGP
Nicolò Bulega’s path for the 2026-2027 biennium seemed set in stone: hunt for the Superbike title, commitment as a test rider for the 2027 bike to be fielded in MotoGP by the Borgo Panigale manufacturer and then a seat as a regular rider in the premier class on one of the six bikes that Ducati fields on the track. An ideal program considering the 2027 regulatory revolution that will see the introduction of less powerful bikes, with less aerodynamics and Pirelli tires, tires that the Italian knows very well since he has used them in WSBK in all these seasons.
Bulega is doing his part, especially in Superbike where he has dominated the first part of the season, imposing a supremacy that was almost embarrassing for the competition: six wins out of six races in the first two rounds, with two pole positions out of two and also five fastest laps recorded. The only one to snatch one from him was Iker Lecuona in race-3 at Portimao. The Spaniard, his teammate, is second in the standings but is already 56 points behind. A huge gap. Yet, despite this record-breaking performance, the dream of a stable landing in MotoGP for 2027 seems destined to fade.
Closed doors
Bulega’s own manager, Alberto Martinelli, speaking with journalists during the Portuguese weekend, admitted that the road to the premier class of the World Championship has unexpectedly become uphill: “As of today, we have no written offers. We are talking to everyone, but there is nothing definitive yet – said Martinelli – there are many riders and few bikes and it is clear that [Nicolò] is not the first choice, otherwise he would already be in. [In Superbike] he doesn’t win just because he has a Ducati, but because he makes the difference – his manager added – and if he had a technically valid opportunity in MotoGP he would be among the top, I have no doubt about it. As long as there is hope, we will work in that direction. But if it doesn’t happen, we will re-evaluate everything calmly”.
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Bulega is currently paying for the frantic MotoGP market and some perhaps unexpected exploits: in the factory team, barring sensational decisions by Marc Marquez, the 2027 pair will consist of #93 and Pedro Acosta; at VR46, where a door might have opened for Bulega, Fermin Aldeguer will arrive while Fabio Di Giannantonio – widely expected to leave – has started the season great, convincing the team to make him the first choice for the future as well. Gresini would remain, with both seats free, but Nadia Padovani’s team could aim for at least one rider coming from Moto2: in all probability Daniel Holgado. For the other seat, Bulega would be among the riders in contention, but the strong candidacy of Enea Bastianini – who already shone at Gresini in 2022 – is to be considered the favorite at the moment.
