Marco Bezzecchi
Nicolo Bulega has emerged as a contender for a MotoGP seat in 2027 after his impressive performance in World Superbikes this season, and Danilo Petrucci believes he is already on par with one big-name rider in the premier class.
The Italian rider narrowly missed out on stealing the 2025 World Superbikes title away from Toprak Razgatlioglu in the final round of the season, finishing just 13 points behind his title rival.
Upon the conclusion of the WSBK season, Bulega got his opportunity to race in the premier class through a replacement ride at Ducati after Marc Marquez’s season-ending injury that he sustained in Indonesia.
However, Bulega has found replacing Marquez a ‘difficult’ task, owing to the change in riding style that is necessary in Grand Prix motorcycle racing as opposed to its production motorcycle counterpart.
READ MORE: Jorge Lorenzo says Ducati are ‘preparing’ to place Nicolo Bulega at MotoGP team in 2027
Danilo Petrucci thinks Nicolo Bulega is equal to Toprak Razgatlioglu’s level of skill on two wheels
After seeing his championship rival make the move from WSBK to MotoGP for the upcoming season, Bulega wants to follow in Razgatlioglu’s footsteps and secure a move to the premier class for the 2027 season.
Petrucci is confident that Bulega could flourish in a full-time MotoGP role, highlighting how he has a skillset on two wheels that is on par with the rider he butted heads with for the 2025 WSBK crown.
In a recent interview with Moto.it, Petrucci, who is replacing the Turkish rider at BMW next season, detailed his opinion on the difference in pace between the two competitors, highlighting how there isn’t much between them at all.
He said, “Well, Nicolo this year has shown he is very, very strong. I already knew he was very strong, but this year he really proved to be a phenomenon in my opinion.
“Equal to Toprak, who already went to MotoGP, but I think Nicolo will arrive soon. I mean, within a year he will go there because, first of all, he deserves it, and I have huge respect both for Bulega and for Toprak, I think both of them can win races in MotoGP.”
Razgatlioglu’s switch to MotoGP was inspired by his father’s dream to see him competing in the premier class, which makes his highly anticipated debut all the more special for the 29-year-old.
READ MORE: Toprak Razgatlioglu reacts to Yamaha falling to last place in MotoGP standings before his 2026 debut
Toprak Razgatlioglu recently had his first taste of MotoGP machinery since 2024 in a private test with Yamaha
Razgatlioglu took part in his first MotoGP test aboard Yamaha’s new V4-powered prototype in Jerez, ahead of the bike’s debut in the upcoming campaign. It marked the first time since 2023 that he had clocked in laps on Grand Prix machinery.
The Turkish rider’s lap times were nearly three seconds off the pace of Fabio Quartararo’s qualifying times at the Aragon Grand Prix, but the discrepancy in times can be attributed to the fact that the new V4 bike is far from its final form.
Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez was ‘surprised’ by Razgatlioglu’s data following the conclusion of the testing session. The Spaniard has entered a number of Grands Prix as a wildcard rider for the Japanese constructor in hopes of collecting data that will benefit the new M1’s development.
The 29-year-old has already begun to make his mark within the Yamaha ranks, with Razgatlioglu already identifying where the M1 needs to improve.
He is keen on beginning his career in the premier class on the right foot, and the sooner he is able to adapt the bike to his own liking, the faster he will be able to record some impressive results.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
