🤯 The 2027 Ducati Dream Seat: Why Nicolo Bulega is in the “Perfect” Position! 🏆
The biggest game of musical chairs in MotoGP is already heating up for 2027! The ‘absolutely brilliant’ rider everyone is talking about for a factory Ducati seat is none other than World Superbike (WorldSBK) sensation, Nicolo Bulega!
This is not just about raw speed—it’s about a CRUCIAL technical twist that gives Bulega a massive, tyre-shaped advantage.
🏍️ The Rider: Nicolo Bulega
The buzz around the paddock is electric, especially after his recent stand-in ride for the injured Marc Márquez on the factory Desmosedici.
- The Praise: Reigning MotoGP Champion Pecco Bagnaia was “full of praise” and called Bulega’s Portimao debut “spectacular,” noting he was just 1.012 seconds off the pace despite “very limited prior experience” on the GP machine.
- The Result: In that high-pressure factory debut at Portimao, he finished the main race in P15, scoring a championship point from P18 on the grid. Not bad for a Superbike star adjusting to MotoGP’s carbon brakes and specific Michelin tyres!
⚙️ The Crucial 2027 Game Changer: The Pirelli Advantage
Here is the KEY detail that puts Bulega in the “perfect” position: MotoGP is switching tyre suppliers in 2027!
| Detail | Current MotoGP (Up to 2026) | New MotoGP (2027 Rules) | Bulega’s Link |
| Tyre Supplier | Michelin | Pirelli | Pirelli is the current supplier for WorldSBK! |
| Engine Size | 1000cc | 850cc | Ducati needs a test rider for their new bike! |
| Aero/Devices | Complex Aero, Ride-Height Devices | Reduced Aero, No Ride-Height Devices | Focus shifts back to rider feel and development. |
Bulega’s Secret Weapon: The Pirelli Prophet!
- 2026 Test Rider Role: Ducati has already signed Bulega as a MotoGP Test Rider for 2026 (alongside his WorldSBK title fight). He will spearhead the development of the new 850cc Desmosedici for the 2027 regulations.
- Tyre Acumen: Ducati Corse General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, explicitly stated that with the “imminent entry of the new tire supplier in MotoGP, Nicolo is a great resource for the development and adaptation of the Desmosedici GP to Pirelli.”
- The Dream Debut: Bulega himself is focused, calling the test role a “great opportunity” and a “dream” to debut in 2027, as he can “use 100% of the tyre” due to his immense WSBK experience.
🌟 The Rivalry & The Future
While Bulega is the main subject of the ‘absolutely brilliant’ comment, he’s not alone in the 2027 factory hunt.
- Fermin Aldeguer: Another Ducati starlet, signed to the satellite Gresini team for 2026 with a Ducati option for two further years, is seen as a strong contender. He’s a MotoGP rookie targeting the 2027 factory seat after already securing a premier-class podium.
- The Factory Incumbents: Current factory riders Marc Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia are only confirmed through 2026. Their contracts expire just before the 2027 rule change, making Bulega’s development role a crucial Plan B (or even Plan A) for the factory team.
The Bottom Line: Nicolo Bulega is not just fast; he possesses a unique, highly valuable skill-set with the incoming Pirelli tyres and the 850cc machine development. This makes him the most strategically placed rider in the paddock for that coveted 2027 factory Ducati seat!
Source
Nicolo Bulega: Ducati test role “great opportunity” for “dream” 2027 MotoGP debut (Read Article)
Tardozzi: Bulega to play a key role in Ducati’s 2027 development (Read Article)
Ducati WSBK star’s new deal sets him up for MotoGP future (Read Article)
Ducati’s ‘spectacular’ new MotoGP rider makes big first impression (Read Article)
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