Bulega Confirmed as VR46 Ducati’s Second Rider for 2027 MotoGP Campaign

VR46 officially confirmed Wednesday that WorldSBK leader Nicolo Bulega will join Fermin Aldeguer in the team’s 2027 MotoGP lineup.

Bulega replaces Franco Morbidelli, who is expected to move in the opposite direction and join Ducati’s WorldSBK program.

The one-year agreement places Bulega under contract with Ducati and entitles him to a factory-spec bike, matching the setup enjoyed by Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta, and Aldeguer. It marks the first time the VR46 team will field two factory machines, with Ducati shouldering the majority of the cost.

“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.”

Bulega will be the sole Italian rider on a Ducati in 2027, joining five Spaniards, while Gresini fields Joan Mir and Dani Holgado.

Nicolo Bulega racing for Ducati in MotoGP last year

Photo by: Steve Wobser / Getty Images

The 26-year-old is widely expected to clinch the WorldSBK title before making his MotoGP return, having departed the premier class through the back door in 2021.

Bulega showed considerable promise in Moto3 with VR46’s backing but struggled to adapt in Moto2, ultimately losing the academy’s support. After his career stalled, he rebuilt from the ground up in WorldSBK’s support series WorldSSP in 2022, capturing the 2023 title with 16 victories.

After graduating to WorldSBK, Bulega has continued to develop, winning 26 of 27 races this season—a remarkable comeback that completes his journey back to the premier class in 2027.

Riding a Ducati MotoGP bike is familiar territory for Bulega, having substituted for the injured Marc Marquez twice last year and participating in the 2026 pre-season test. His experience with smaller bikes and Pirelli tyres suggests he could be a frontrunner in his debut season.

Morbidelli’s MotoGP career ends after nine seasons in the premier class, during which he finished runner-up in 2020, just 13 points shy of the title. He had previously won the Moto2 championship in 2017.

At 32, Morbidelli now has a fresh opportunity to fight for wins and titles with the official Ducati WorldSBK team, which has dominated the championship this year.

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