Nicolò Bulega Joins VR46 Racing Team for 2027 MotoGP Season
WorldSBK leader Nicolò Bulega will make his full-time MotoGP debut in 2027 with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, partnering Fermín Aldeguer on a
Nicolò Bulega will graduate to MotoGP full-time in 2027. The Italian rider will join the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, completing its two-rider lineup alongside Fermín Aldeguer, as announced by the team. Bulega, currently dominating the 2025 WorldSBK championship, will ride a Ducati Desmosedici GP.
Bulega's path to the premier class has been unconventional. He first entered the world championship paddock in Moto3 in 2015 with VR46 after winning the FIM CEV Moto3 Junior Championship. He spent three seasons in Moto3 and one in Moto2 with the Tavullia-based squad before switching to production racing.
From WorldSBK Dominance to MotoGP
His move to World Supersport in 2022 with Ducati proved immediately successful. Bulega won the WorldSSP title the following year, securing ten pole positions and sixteen victories. That title earned him a factory Ducati ride in WorldSBK for 2024, where he finished as runner-up in his debut season and repeated that result the following year. He currently leads the 2025 WorldSBK standings in dominant fashion.
The source states his current campaign includes 26 victories from 27 races contested so far. This form convinced Ducati and the VR46 team he is ready for MotoGP.
Team and Manufacturer Confidence
Team Director Alessio Salucci expressed happiness at welcoming back a rider who started his career with them. "We know he is a very talented rider since he was younger, and he proved that both in the past and currently, by dominating WorldSBK," Salucci said. The team pledged to give Bulega maximum support to achieve his goals.
Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall'Igna confirmed the manufacturer's belief in Bulega's readiness. Dall'Igna cited the rider's consistent growth and ability to maximize the potential of Ducati's bikes. He described Bulega as having "a solid and successful present, but at the same time, with a very promising future." Dall'Igna identified the VR46 team as the ideal environment for Bulega's adaptation to MotoGP.
The Rider's Perspective
For Bulega, the move fulfills a long-held dream, albeit via a detour. "Making it to MotoGP is a dream," Bulega said. He highlighted his historical links to the VR46 Riders Academy, making the step feel easier from a human perspective. The rider acknowledged his career took a different path through WorldSBK, which exceeded his expectations.
"Now, I don't want to set any goals, I want to try to do well, take it one race at a time," Bulega stated, emphasizing a focus on doing the best job possible from the outset.
The Challenge Ahead
Team Manager Pablo Nieto noted the significance of the 2027 technical regulation changes, suggesting everyone will start from a similar baseline. He believes Bulega's experience with WorldSBK tires and his previous tests as a Ducati MotoGP test rider will aid his transition. Nieto expressed confidence that Bulega will be able to fight for important goals in the premier class.
For now, the immediate focus remains on the ongoing WorldSBK championship. Dall'Igna's statement concluded with a call to concentrate all efforts on winning the WorldSBK title together before the new MotoGP challenge begins.
