Nicolo Bulega will make his MotoGP debut with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in 2027 after signing a one‑year factory deal with Ducati.
VR46 confirms Bulega’s 2027 MotoGP step
On Wednesday, the Valentino Rossi foundation announced that the 26‑year‑old Italian will replace Franco Morbidelli as the team’s sole MotoGP rider.
Under the new contract, Bulega will receive a factory‑spec Ducati that rivals Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta and Fermin Aldeguer. It is the first time the VR46 outfit fields two Ducati machines.
WorldSBK champion ready for Factory seat
Bulega captured the WorldSSP crown in 2023 with 16 triumphs and finished the following year in WorldSBK, recording 26 wins from 27 starts.
Having once stood in for an injured Marc Marquez, the rider also completed a pre‑season 2026 test on a Ducati MotoGP machine – proving his familiarity with the power‑train and Pirelli slicks.
Team composition for the 2027 season
The Gresini‑operated pairing will feature Spanish stars Joan Mir and Dani Holgado next to Bulega, the sole Italian on a Ducati in the 2027 grid.
Importantly, Ducati will shoulder most of the factory bike production cost for the two VR46‑branded bikes.
Morbidelli’s move to WorldSBK
Franco Morbidelli, who reached a MotoGP runner‑up finish in 2020, will exit the premier class after nine seasons.
The 32‑year‑old is set to join the dominant Ducati WorldSBK squad, bringing his experience and 2017 Moto2 title back to the support series.
Bulega’s career trajectory and outlook
From a promising start in Moto3 under the VR46 academy, Bulega struggled to adapt in Moto2, losing the backing of the program.
He chose to restart his career in the WorldSSP series (WorldSBK support class), growing as a rider and earning a place in Ducati’s 2027 factory lineup.
With a proven technical aptitude for Ducati machinery and a recent record of podiums, Bulega stands as a credible title challenge next season as he gears up for the premier class as his career’s next chapter.
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