Marco Bezzecchi
Nicolo Bulega may have to part ways with Ducati if he wants to be a full-time MotoGP rider in 2027, and Trackhouse has emerged as a possible destination.
Bulega looked well-placed to ride for a Ducati satellite team next year after impressing as a substitute for the injured Marc Marquez at the back end of 2025. He has also become a Desmosedici test rider.
However, those doors increasingly appear to be closed, and manager Alberto Martinelli won’t guarantee that the runaway World Superbikes rider will still be a Ducati rider after the current season concludes.
Fabiano Sterlacchini approves potential Nicolo Bulega to Trackhouse move
In recent days, Bulega has been linked with Trackhouse. There is at least one vacancy at Davide Brivio’s squad after Ai Ogura was lured to Yamaha.
It’s already established that Brivio is keen on Bulega, but now Moto IT have added that Aprilia technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini is also ‘ready to welcome’ the Italian.
If Ducati cannot offer Nicolo Bulega a MotoGP move for 2027, should he join a rival manufacturer?
Ogura and Raul Fernandez are both contracted directly to Trackhouse, but Aprilia may have some influence over who rides the RS-GP bikes at their satellite team next year.
Aprilia are forming an all-Italian line-up of Francesco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi and the idea of signing Bulega, another of the country’s motorcycle flag-bearers, appeals.
Among other riders, Trackhouse have also been linked with Joan Mir, so it will be a competitive battle for the two available seats.
The six Ducati MotoGP riders for 2027, according to rumours
While no official announcements have been made, Ducati are expected to sign Pedro Acosta as Marquez’s teammate, with Bagnaia making the aforementioned move to Aprilia.
After an initial period of uncertainty, Gresini and VR46 are likely to renew their deals with Ducati.
Fermin Aldeguer is moving across to VR46 and Fabio Di Giannantonio is likely to hold onto the other seat, which will spell the end for Franco Morbidelli.
Alex Marquez’s mooted switch to KTM means Gresini will have a brand-new line-up, apparently featuring Enea Bastianini (who raced for the team in 2022 and 2023) and Moto2 star Dani Holgado.
As it stands, there doesn’t seem to be any room for Bulega in the roster.
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