Valentino Rossi describes Nicolo Bulega’s upcoming full-time MotoGP debut in 2027 with the VR46 Ducati team as “a good story.” After dominating the World Superbike Championship this year, Bulega will make the jump to MotoGP next season, having secured a contract with Rossi’s outfit.
This move represents a full-circle moment for Bulega, whose grand prix career began with the VR46 team in Moto3 back in 2016. Despite this promising start, his journey in grand prix racing was challenging, managing only two podium finishes in Moto3 and no podiums during three seasons in Moto2.
Bulega parted ways with the VR46 Academy before transitioning to World Supersport in 2022, where he clinched the championship in 2023 and then finished as runner-up twice in World Superbike with Ducati.
“We’re very happy and very proud,” Rossi said on the official MotoGP broadcast at Misano last weekend. “It’s a great story because Nicolo started with us, at the Academy, at the start of his career. We offered him lots of support, and while expectations were high for him, perhaps he wasn’t quite ready or experienced some bad luck. After that, our paths diverged. But he did an incredible job in Superbikes—he found his stride, became world champion in World Supersport, and this year, he’s been dominant. He understands the tires and the new bike well since he’s been a tester. So, I think it’s going to be exciting.”
Bulega is on the verge of securing the WorldSBK title after winning all but one race this season. Leading the championship by 146 points heading into the Cremona round, he can clinch the championship with two races still remaining.
In addition to his racing duties, Bulega has spent much of 2026 testing Ducati’s 850cc MotoGP bike ahead of his debut season. He will be joined at VR46 by Fermin Aldeguer, who is transferring from Gresini Racing for the 2027 campaign.
Fan Take: Bulega’s rise back to MotoGP highlights the resilience and development pathway that exists within the sport, showing fans that early career setbacks don’t define a rider’s future. His move to VR46 Ducati could inject fresh talent and excitement into MotoGP, potentially shaking up the competition and proving that perseverance pays off.
Source: www.crash.net
