Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez will be out of action for Ducati at the Malaysian Grand Prix as he recovers from injury.
The Ant of Cervera collided with Marco Bezzecchi at Mandalika, leaving him with fractured ligaments in his right collarbone. Ducati confirmed that Marquez will miss the races at Phillip Island and Sepang, with Portimao also being unlikely.
Marquez faces up to 16 weeks on the sidelines, according to his doctor. There is every chance that the 2025 champion’s season is now over, with Ducati needing to replace him for the remaining races.
Test rider Michele Pirro replaced Marquez at the Australian GP. As expected, he ran at the back of the grid, while Francesco Bagnaia had a disastrous weekend as the factory Ducati team came away with no points.
Pirro will replace Marquez at the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend, but that was not Ducati’s original plan. The Borgo Panigale outfit had another rider in mind, but he refused to take the chance.
Nicolo Bulega turned down Ducati after they asked him to replace Marc Marquez in Malaysia
Nicolo Bulega has been tipped to make his MotoGP debut in Marquez’s absence. The Italian was unavailable for Phillip Island due to the title decider in World Superbikes at Jerez.
Journalist Giovanni Zamagni says that Ducati wanted Bulega to race in Malaysia, but he turned the opportunity down. Bulega felt a one-off race would not benefit him due to his limited experience, but a race at Portimao might be possible.
“Well, first of all, it must be said that Ducati wanted him to compete in the Malaysian race, and in my opinion, he did well to say no because going to Malaysia without ever having ridden a MotoGP bike before,” said Zamagni via Moto.It.
“Well, we’ve seen that happen many times in the past. The last one was Iannone last year, who raced in Malaysia. So, I think Bulega did very well not to accept this proposal.
“There is a possibility that he could race in Portimao, again with MotoGP, again obviously in Marquez’s place. Here too, however, I want to say that it all depends on whether they manage to do a test.
“There is talk of Jerez at the end of the month when there will be tests, in short, that he could try the bike, but I don’t know exactly. But let’s say that Ducati’s plan was to have him make his MotoGP debut already at this Grand Prix.”
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Toprak Razgatlioglu hopes to see ‘incredible’ Nicolo Bulega race in MotoGP
Bulega missed out on the 2025 WSBK title to Toprak Razgatlioglu. Despite winning all three races at Jerez and his title rival crashing out in the second race after the pair made contact, the Italian lost by 13 points.
The duo will be in MotoGP in some capacity in 2026, with Razgatlioglu racing with Pramac Yamaha, while Bulega will act as a test and reserve rider for Ducati. With a 2027 seat on the cards, Razgatlioglu hopes to see his WSBK rival in the premier class one day.
“I spoke with my team manager, Phil, about this,” he said via Motosan. “I think it’s a very good opportunity for him. I hope Ducati does this because I really… respect him.
“He did an incredible job this year. He’s improved a lot and is a very fast rider. I think it’s a good opportunity for him with the MotoGP bike. I hope to see him in some races.
“In the Superbike paddock, it might be the last battle with him. And in the future of MotoGP, maybe he’ll come in 2027, I hope. Because he’s fast enough for MotoGP; he’s very fast. If Ducati brings him to MotoGP, I think it’s a good move. And I hope we’ll race him again in MotoGP in the future.”
Bulega has now U-turned his decision to replace Marquez, stating that he would fill in if he could test the GP25 beforehand. It has been rumoured that he could conduct a test at Jerez, but Ducati have stayed quiet on the matter.
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