Marco Bezzecchi
Nicolo Bulega was unsure about replacing the injury-stricken Marc Marquez for the final two races of the 2025 MotoGP season, and he has revealed what Valentino Rossi told him that ended up changing his mind.
At the time of Marc Marquez’s injury at the Indonesian Grand Prix, Nicolo Bulega was locked in a title fight with Toprak Razgatlioglu in the World Superbikes championship.
Initially, Bulega believed a one-off ride in MotoGP wouldn’t be ‘useful’ to him, stating that he would consider a change of heart if he was able to clock in some mileage atop MotoGP machinery before being thrust into the spotlight on a race weekend.
After Michele Pirro took up duties for the first two rounds of Marquez’s absence, Bulega then took part in a Ducati test at Jerez, where he was able to get a feel for the GP25.
The Italian rider was then announced to be taking up the mantle of being the Spaniard’s replacement, making his MotoGP debut in the final two rounds of the year in Portimao and Valencia.
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Nicolo Bulega reveals what Valentino Rossi told him before he accepted Ducati’s MotoGP replacement ride
The sudden change in tune from Bulega was understood to be because of Ducati granting him his wish to test the bike beforehand.
However, through a recent interview with GPOne, he revealed that the advice of Valentino Rossi was a leading factor in the U-turn.
The 26-year-old was recently present at Rossi’s famous MotoRanch near Tavullia, and he touched upon the relationship he shares with the MotoGP legend, as well as any advice he receives from him.
Bulega said, “Vale asked me a lot of questions because he’s curious. In fact, he always asks me so many things. I have a good relationship with him.
“I’ve had doubts recently, like racing with the MotoGP bike. That’s exactly why I asked him for his opinion, because I didn’t know what to do. In my heart, I know that if I should need him, he’s there.”
The Italian was then prompted to tell a behind-the-scenes story he has with Rossi, to which he replied, “Of course! When I called him in October, I had to decide if I wanted to race in MotoGP.
“At that time, I don’t deny that I had some doubts, but he told me not to give a damn and just race.”
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Nicolo Bulega could be on the MotoGP grid for the 2027 season
The reason for Bulega’s apprehension about replacing Marquez came down to the tricky adaptation that the GP25 requires.
Both Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Di Giannantonio struggled with this aspect of the bike throughout the 2025 term. Their Spanish stablemate was the only rider who was able to conquer the factory spec bike.
Despite the very limited amount of running prior to the race weekends, Bulega was able to score points in both Grands Prix he competed in.
He occupied the final points-paying position in both of his entries, impressing many within the MotoGP paddock.
Jorge Lorenzo thinks that Ducati are now readying Bulega for a satellite ride in 2027, which would see him replicate the switch that his 2025 WSBK title rival, Razgatlioglu, is making for next year.
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