Ducati’s new 850cc MotoGP project has repeatedly appeared at the front of reports from private development running, with Nicolò Bulega central to that work. The evidence remains unofficial, however: official lap times for the new 850cc machines and Pirelli tyres have still not been released.

Bulega is developing the Ducati while pursuing his WorldSBK campaign, where he has won every race but one so far this season. He could officially secure the 2026 title at the next round in Cremona. His MotoGP destination is already settled: VR46 has confirmed him for the team where he began his Grand Prix career.

Speaking to MotoGP pit-lane reporter Jack Appleyard at Misano, VR46 team manager Pablo Nieto said the team was delighted to have Bulega returning. He praised the Italian’s work in WorldSBK and in his role as Ducati’s test rider. Nieto also questioned how much Bulega’s additional mileage would count as an advantage, arguing that the established MotoGP riders should find their way around the new motorcycles and tyres within one or two days.

A more revealing test is next

Monday’s session at the Red Bull Ring, following the Austrian Grand Prix, will be the second test open to selected race riders, with every manufacturer present on track. Nieto views it as an important indication of whether Ducati has a genuine performance advantage rather than simply a favourable private-test profile. His current assessment is that the Ducati 850 appears very fast.

Bulega said at Misano that he likes the Ducati 850 a great deal and considers it a very good motorcycle. He also welcomed the new Pirelli tyres, which he uses in Superbike, and described the tests he has completed before next season as good ones. The comparison in Austria will therefore matter, although Ducati, like the other MotoGP manufacturers, has not yet confirmed which riders will take part in the post-race test.