Nicolo Bulega is set to reunite with his old World Superbike rival, Toprak Razgatlioglu, in MotoGP in 2027. However, his arrival will be very different from that of the Turkish rider.
Bulega battled with Razgatlioglu for the WSBK title from his debut season in 2024. The Italian finished runner-up to his rival in 2024 and 2025 before El Turco moved to MotoGP with Pramac in 2026.
In Razgatlioglu’s absence, the Ducati rider has dominated WSBK in 2026, winning 23 of the 24 races thus far. This incredible form has caught the attention of the MotoGP paddock, with Bulega set to join VR46 in 2027.
Which series will benefit more from Nicolo Bulega’s move: MotoGP or Superbikes?
Bulega has run away with this year's WSBK championship
Nicolo Bulega set to sign a 1+1 deal with VR46 instead of a straight two-year deal like Toprak Razgatlioglu
The Italian has been desperate to make a move to MotoGP and was considering leaving the Ducati setup. Bulega held talks with Trackhouse for 2027, but he will get to stay with the Ducati family next year as he joins VR46.
Partnering with Fermin Aldeguer, Bulega will return to the Tavullia-based outfit, having been under Valentino Rossi’s guidance in his junior days. 2027 will mark his first full season in MotoGP, after he stood in for Marc Marquez at Ducati for the final two races of 2025.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Nicolo Bulega from height to career
Next season will also see the Italian reunite with his former WSBK rival. Razgatlioglu’s camp keep saying Bulega will be ‘better’ than him in his debut season, given that he will be riding a Ducati instead of a Yamaha, but his contract is not as secure as the Turkish star’s.
According to a report from Sky Sports Italia, Bulega is ‘expected’ to sign a deal for 2027, with VR46 holding the option to extend it for 2028. Meanwhile, at Pramac, Razgatlioglu signed a straight two-year deal, which expires in 2027.
Razgatlioglu’s pedigree as a three-time WSBK champion was more than enough for Yamaha to commit to a two-year agreement. But at Ducati, it is clear that, while Bulega hugely impressed VR46 in testing, he is not held in the same regard.
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!
The 26-year-old will be under huge pressure to deliver the results and extend his contract for 2028. The upcoming regulation changes should suit Bulega and Razgatlioglu more, with the Pirelli tyres being what they used in WSBK.
But Ducati’s faith in the Italian is clearly not as strong as Yamaha’s rating of Razgatlioglu. There is even a dispute over Bulega’s salary for 2027, which could only add to the pressure that will be placed on him at VR46 next season.
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