Nicolo Bulega had a realistic route into MotoGP with KTM before his move to VR46 Ducati for 2027. He describes the Austrian manufacturer as the most concrete option available to him at one stage of the rider market, while a move involving Aprilia was also discussed as a less likely possibility.

Bulega’s manager had met KTM executives, but the rider made clear that remaining with Ducati was his preferred outcome. Ducati moved him from Supersport directly into its factory Superbike team, where he won numerous races before claiming the WorldSBK title last month after a dominant season.

From Ducati testing to the VR46 line-up

Bulega will race for VR46 Ducati in 2027 alongside Fermin Aldeguer. The move keeps him within Ducati’s wider structure and follows his work in the manufacturer’s MotoGP testing programme during 2026. That role gave him involvement in developing the 850cc motorcycle and allowed him to apply his experience with Pirelli tyres.

Some of Bulega’s rivals have already labelled him a major threat for the opening races of 2027 because of his familiarity with the new motorcycles and tyres. Bulega, however, has played down that assessment. The VR46 move also reconnects him with an earlier chapter of his career: he raced for the squad in Moto2 in 2019.

Before starting his MotoGP chapter, Bulega will make his final WorldSBK appearance with Ducati this weekend at Jerez. It will be his last race weekend with the Italian manufacturer in the championship before he changes categories for the 2027 season.