Nicolò Bulega will become a full-time MotoGP rider in 2027 after signing with Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, taking the WorldSBK leader into Ducati’s new 850cc era alongside Fermín Aldeguer.
The announcement brings one of motorcycle racing’s most remarkable recent career revivals back to the Grand Prix paddock, with Bulega moving up from WorldSBK at the same time as MotoGP begins a major new technical era.
Bulega has been one of the standout riders in world motorcycle racing this season, winning 26 of the opening 27 WorldSBK races of 2026 as he closes in on the championship. His move to MotoGP had looked increasingly likely following his involvement in Ducati’s development programme, but Wednesday’s announcement makes his 2027 future official. MotoGP confirmed the move on 9 September.
Bulega joins Aldeguer at VR46
Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team has confirmed Bulega will ride a Ducati Desmosedici GP alongside Fermín Aldeguer next season, completing an entirely new rider line-up for the Tavullia-based squad.
It will be Bulega’s first season as a permanent MotoGP rider, although he is not arriving without experience of Ducati’s premier-class machinery.
The Italian has worked as an official Ducati MotoGP test rider during 2026, alongside Michele Pirro, and has been directly involved in development work connected with the manufacturer’s next-generation MotoGP project. He also made two replacement appearances for the factory Ducati Lenovo Team at the end of 2025.
That background could become particularly valuable in 2027.
A very different MotoGP awaits
Bulega is not simply moving from WorldSBK into an established MotoGP formula.
The championship will switch from its current 1,000cc machinery to 850cc engines in 2027, alongside wider technical changes and the arrival of Pirelli as MotoGP’s tyre supplier.
Ducati has already used Bulega as part of its development work towards that transition, making his experience particularly relevant. His knowledge of Pirelli tyres from WorldSBK also gives him familiarity with a manufacturer every MotoGP team will be learning to work with under the new regulations.
It makes Bulega an intriguing choice for VR46. Rather than entering MotoGP completely cold, he will arrive having helped Ducati prepare for the very regulations he will race under. His promotion also adds another rookie to a rapidly changing 2027 grid, following Izan Guevara’s confirmed move to Pramac Yamaha.
From WorldSBK domination back to Grand Prix racing
The move also completes an unusual route back to the Grand Prix paddock.
Bulega was part of the VR46 structure during the early stages of his career, racing in Moto3 with the Sky Racing Team VR46 before later stepping up to Moto2.
His first spell in Grand Prix racing never developed into the career many expected, but moving into production-based racing transformed his trajectory.
After joining Ducati in World Supersport, Bulega won the 2023 WorldSSP Championship before graduating to WorldSBK. He finished runner-up in both 2024 and 2025 before producing his extraordinary 2026 campaign.
Now he returns to the organisation closely associated with the beginning of his Grand Prix career as one of motorcycle racing’s most accomplished riders.
Ducati keeps Bulega within its structure
Bulega’s MotoGP promotion is also part of a renewed agreement directly with Ducati Corse.
Ducati described the move as the next stage of a relationship built around Bulega’s development and results, with the manufacturer retaining one of its strongest-performing riders as he steps into MotoGP.
That continuity could be important.
Bulega already understands Ducati personnel, its development philosophy and the characteristics of the next-generation project. VR46, meanwhile, gains a rider who has demonstrated extraordinary consistency and race-winning ability in WorldSBK rather than simply recruiting on potential.
His first official appearance as a VR46 rider is expected to come at the post-season Valencia Test, when preparations for the new 2027 era begin in earnest.
Tech Torque Verdict
Bulega’s promotion feels like far more than a reward for dominating WorldSBK.
His Ducati testing role, extensive Pirelli experience and involvement with the 850cc project make him unusually well prepared for the technical reset awaiting MotoGP in 2027.
There will still be an enormous step between controlling races in WorldSBK and fighting at the front of MotoGP, but Bulega arrives with considerably more relevant preparation than the average rookie.
And after rebuilding his career outside the Grand Prix paddock, returning to VR46 to begin a full-time MotoGP career brings his journey full circle.
One of motorcycle racing’s most dominant riders is heading back to where his Grand Prix journey took shape — only this time, he arrives as a genuine MotoGP prospect.
