Marco Bezzecchi
Gresini now look set to force Ducati to break their promise to move World Superbike rider Nicolo Bulega to MotoGP in 2027, as they have no interest in signing the Italian.
Ducati had promised Bulega a place on the 2027 MotoGP grid when they signed his contract for the 2026 World Superbike season, which also included him acting as a MotoGP test rider in 2026. But the market has since shifted in a direction that is very likely to leave Bulega out.
Bulega and Ducati shared a dream of seeing the 26-year-old move to MotoGP in 2027 as the new regulations, including switching from Michelin to Pirelli tyres, made it the ideal time for him to join. He has experience of Pirelli tyres in WSBK, and is expected to win the 2026 title.
The native of Montecchio Emilia has no peers in World Superbikes after Toprak Razgatlioglu made his MotoGP debut with Pramac Yamaha in 2026. It is entirely possible that Bulega can win every World Superbike race this year if he avoids reliability issues and any silly mistakes.
If Ducati cannot offer Nicolo Bulega a MotoGP move for 2027, should he join a rival manufacturer?
Gresini are not interested in signing Nicolo Bulega due to his lack of MotoGP experience
But no matter how dominant Bulega may be in the 2026 World Superbike Championship, his hopes of moving to MotoGP in 2027 now seem to hinge on the unlikely possibility that Marc Marquez retires. VR46 now have no room at the inn, and Gresini do not want to sign Bulega.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Nicolo Bulega from height to career
That is according to Motorpasion Moto, which reports that Bulega has virtually no chance of sealing a move to MotoGP. While VR46 are open to fielding Bulega in 2027, he is not the first name on their list as Valentino Rossi’s outfit are most likely to re-sign Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Also, Ducati are set to place Fermin Aldeguer at VR46 for 2027, as part of their agreement to extend their satellite contract. So, with Gresini unwilling to take Bulega, his final hope is that Ducati end up having to field Aldeguer or Di Giannantonio in the event that Marquez retires.
Gresini are believed to want ‘nothing’ to do with Bulega, as he would not suit their set-up of fielding an experienced rider alongside a young talent. Instead, Gresini intend to sign Moto2 prospect Daniel Holgado and welcome KTM Tech3 star Enea Bastianini back after four years.
Even if KTM were to block Bastianini’s return in 2027, Gresini would likely overlook Bulega in favour of signing a rider with MotoGP experience. KTM have an option to extend Bastianini’s factory contract through 2027, which now threatens to derail Gresini and the Italian’s plans.
KTM have an option to extend Enea Bastianini’s contract but could lose Tech3 – Should he join the factory KTM team in 2027?
Bulega’s two cameo appearances for Ducati at the end of 2025 following Marquez’s surgery on a shoulder injury remain his only experience of MotoGP to date. The Italian deputised in Portugal and Valencia after one private test, and he finished in P15 during both Grands Prix.
He will gain further experience aboard MotoGP machinery in 2026 as a Ducati test rider on their 850cc development bike for 2027. But even that, plus his experience of Pirelli tyres in World Superbikes, is not enough to convince Gresini that Bulega is worth their time to sign.
Fielding two MotoGP rookies would be a big risk with Gresini expected to sign Holgado for 2027, hence their interest in Bastianini’s return. Bastianini produced the best season of his MotoGP career to date whilst with Gresini in 2022, after he finished third in the standings.
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