Ducati has confirmed Franco Morbidelli as its factory WorldSBK rider for 2027. The Italian will replace Nicolo Bulega, who is heading to VR46, after beating Moto2 frontrunner Manu Gonzalez to the seat. Morbidelli’s appointment comes after a difficult 2026 MotoGP campaign with VR46, during which he has recorded only two top-10 finishes.

Morbidelli acknowledged that Ducati faced a difficult decision in choosing him after a season below his expectations. The 31-year-old, however, believes the manufacturer still trusts the work he can deliver. He arrives with three MotoGP race victories and says he is grateful for the opportunity, while accepting that he must make adjustments to meet the demands of the new project.

Aiming to recover his winning edge

The Italian’s immediate objective is to fight for victories again. He wants to carry across his experience with Michelin tyres and the speed he has shown at different stages of his career, along with what he described as his “special way” of fighting for a win. Morbidelli believes that approach was visible for roughly half of his Moto2 career and during two years in MotoGP.

His wider record is more uneven. Morbidelli said the seasons outside that stronger period—including his two years with the factory Yamaha team—were difficult, although he still achieved a podium and several top-five finishes with Yamaha. He also said he had previously been capable of fighting for fourth and fifth places, and intends to recover that level while continuing to improve as a rider, athlete and person.

Gigi Dall’Igna said in Ducati’s announcement that Morbidelli would bring the WorldSBK team an “extremely valuable” wealth of experience. The move is part of a wider expected flow of MotoGP riders towards WorldSBK in 2027: Brad Binder is also linked with BMW, while Jack Miller is set to join Yamaha. Morbidelli’s switch therefore gives Ducati a proven Grand Prix winner, but his own comments make clear that returning to the front will be a challenge rather than an automatic result.