Marco Bezzecchi
VR46 boss Pablo Nieto strongly believes that Nicolo Bulega can still succeed in MotoGP despite his struggles in Moto2, highlighting Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo as a prime example of a rider feeling “more comfortable” on premier class machinery.
While Nicolo Bulega’s VR46 deal for the 2027 MotoGP season still has some fine print to be worked out, the Italian rider looks set to swap production motorcycles for prototypes in 2027 amid his record-breaking form in the World Superbikes championship.
How many podiums would Nicolo Bulega score as a rookie if he moves to MotoGP for 2027?
Bulega's pace at World Superbikes' Balaton Park round would have put him on the MotoGP Hungarian GP podium!
Having won every single race that has been contested so far this season, Bulega is currently on a 25-race winning streak, which has become impossible to ignore in the eyes of Ducati’s top brass in the MotoGP department.
However, Bulega’s prowess on prototype machinery is largely unknown. He cut his teeth in Moto2 and Moto3 as a teenager, but failed to impress before he left the Grand Prix paddock with no race wins to his name after 99 attempts across both categories.
Still, after working with the 26-year-old during his days in the lower classes of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, VR46 chief Pablo Nieto has disregarded Bulega’s record and still believes he can succeed on MotoGP machinery.
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Pablo Nieto thinks Nicolo Bulega can still succeed in MotoGP despite poor form during Moto2 days
In a recent interview with Speedweek, Nieto touched upon his past relationship with the current WSBK championship leader, while highlighting how he has all the skills he needs to be successful if he is to reunite with the Spaniard at VR46 next year.
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“We worked with Nicolo when he was very young,” he began. “We built a team specifically for him for the Spanish Championship, and he won the title with us. After that, he came with us to Moto3. We already knew about his great talent back then.”
With the majority of riders in Moto2 and Moto3 racing as teenagers, it can be quite difficult to be immediately competitive. In the case of Bulega, Nieto thinks, “He simply wasn’t ready for that level back then.
“He’s made a huge step forward in the Superbike World Championship since; the talent was always there. Today, he’s a very good rider. We need to remain calm with young riders. In this paddock, it’s extremely difficult to achieve anything great.
“In the end, only a few riders are ever fighting for the world championship title. But Nicolo also has the potential for great success here.”
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Nieto then identified 2021 MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo as another rider who struggled in the intermediate class before becoming one of the best riders on the grid. Now, the Frenchman is a hot commodity in the eyes of each MotoGP brand.
“These things happen sometimes,” Nieto said. “Quartararo didn’t have a stellar Moto2 season either. He was incredibly fast in Moto3, but it wasn’t until MotoGP that he was able to reach his full potential.
“It also depends on a rider’s characteristics. Some simply feel more comfortable on a larger motorcycle.”
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