Marco Bezzecchi
Nicolo Bulega has shared an update on his relationship with VR46 owner and MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, revealing how the Italian often messages him after every one of his victories in World Superbikes.
The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to MotoGP machinery next year, amid his total dominance of the 2026 World Superbikes Championship, in which he has won all 18 races so far this season.
Which series will benefit more from Nicolo Bulega’s move: MotoGP or Superbikes?
Bulega has run away with this year's WSBK championship
VR46 has been reported to have signed Bulega in light of his clear dominance on production machinery. He is now expected to return to the Tavullia-based outfit after splitting ties with the VR46 Riders’ Academy after a difficult Moto2 season in 2019.
Nicolo Bulega issues update on relationship with Valentino Rossi ahead of rumoured VR46 move
In an interview with Moto.it, the WSBK championship leader was asked about what his relationship is like with VR46 ahead of his rumoured move to the Italian satellite outfit and following his departure from the team’s development programme.
“Very good, honestly,” Bulega replied. “When I parted ways with VR46, it was a bit of a difficult time because they had helped me a lot to get to that point. I probably wouldn’t have made it to the world championship without them.
“In fact, almost certainly not without them, because up to Moto3 it’s difficult for parents to support financially. From the moment you reach the Moto3 CEV, it costs nearly 200,000 euros a year to race.
Do you agree with Toprak Razgatlioglu that Nicolo Bulega deserves a MotoGP ride?
“So at that point, it was impossible for my family, so they certainly gave me the chance to keep developing throughout my career and helped me become a good rider in the years that followed. And then when we parted ways, anyway, it was a bit difficult for me.
“They were the group I always hung out with. It was quite a drastic change, but I’ve still remained on good terms with them for the past two years. I went back to the ranch to ride the flat-track bike.”
Then, asked if there is any friction at all between himself and Valentino Rossi, he revealed how he is in constant contact with the MotoGP icon, replying, “No, no, no, none at all. Vale often texts me after races.
“When I win here in Superbike, he always sends me a message, and every now and then we’ve gone out for dinner together. We get on really well.”
Nicolo Bulega also opened up on the ‘mistakes’ he made during Moto2 days
The Italian rider also admitted that he fell foul of making some mistakes during his time in Moto2 with VR46, and went on to elaborate on what he meant by the comment.
“When you’re a kid, because at 16 you’re still a kid, I definitely made the kind of mistakes a young lad makes, which I probably wouldn’t have made back then if I’d had the maturity I feel I have now,” he said.
In terms of specifics, he identified his refusal to take advice on board as a clear indicator, adding, “Perhaps listening a bit more to certain people, doing a bit less of what my head was telling me and that’s it.
“I didn’t listen to anyone and just wanted to do things my own way. Probably listening to people with a bit more experience would certainly have done me good.”
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