Bulega, farewell announced: at the end of the year he leaves Aruba-Ducati

Expected Separation

Nicolò Bulega and the Aruba Ducati team are parting ways. Or rather, they will part ways at the end of this record-breaking 2026 season, with only the arithmetic left to crown the 26-year-old rider from Montecchio as Superbike World Champion.

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The news was already well known and today’s announcement is just the official confirmation of what everyone knew: Bulega, after the triumphant parade of 2026, is destined to fulfill his dream and move to MotoGP, essentially swapping seats with Franco Morbidelli. The Italo-Brazilian will move to the production-based series with the official Borgo Panigale team, while Bulega will wear the fluorescent yellow colors of the VR46 team.

“The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team announces that the collaboration with Nicolò Bulega will end at the conclusion of the 2026 Superbike World Championship season – reads the official statement – The team wishes to thank Nicolò for the extraordinary journey built together over these five years. From his arrival in Supersport in 2022 to winning the category world title the following season, up to the move to WorldSBK in 2024, interpreted by Bulega with determination and dedication. A path made of work, professionalism, and a strong bond with the entire team, born from daily commitment and consolidated race after race. In the last two seasons, the Italian rider finished second in the Superbike World Championship, confirming himself among the absolute protagonists. The results achieved this year are also evident to all, with 26 wins and a second place in the first 27 races contested: numbers that tell the value of a rider who grew together with the team and is capable of writing indelible pages in the history of Aruba.it Racing – Ducati and the category in general. We wish Nicolò our sincerest good luck for the future. There remains one goal to complete together: winning the WorldSBK riders’ world title, the most important milestone so far in his career“.

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“When we chose Nicolò, we knew we were betting on a young rider with great talent – said Stefano Cecconi, team principal of Aruba-Ducati – but the journey we made together has continuously exceeded expectations. A progression that makes us particularly proud because it confirms the team’s philosophy, which believes in work, rider development, and the ability to build important results step by step. Nicolò integrated extraordinarily, becoming part of our sporting family. He earned the trust and affection of everyone with professionalism and respect. We will always be grateful to him and will always cheer for him. But first, there is still a mission to complete to celebrate this wonderful adventure in the best way.”

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