Imagine being thrust into the spotlight as a potential replacement for a legend like Marc Marquez. That’s exactly where Nicolo Bulega finds himself right now. But here’s where it gets controversial: is he the right choice, or is Ducati making a risky move? Let’s dive in.
With Marquez sidelined due to a devastating crash with Marco Bezzecchi at the Indonesian Grand Prix—leaving him with fractures in his right shoulder—Ducati needs a stand-in rider. Enter Bulega, the WorldSBK standout who finished second in the 2025 Championship behind Toprak Razgatlioglu. His performance with the factory Aruba.it Racing Ducati team makes him an obvious contender, especially if Ducati decides to pass on Michele Pirro, their official MotoGP test rider.
Pirro has already filled in for Marquez at the Australian and Malaysian MotoGP races, but his results—18th and 17th place finishes—haven’t exactly inspired confidence. And this is the part most people miss: Ducati has already secured all three MotoGP titles this year, so the pressure to score points is off. This opens the door for Bulega, who could use this opportunity as a stepping stone to a full-time MotoGP role in 2027, especially given his testing duties with Ducati in 2026.
Bulega’s recent test on the Ducati MotoGP bike at Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto is a significant milestone. Just weeks after dominating the final WorldSBK round with three wins and a Superpole time that would’ve placed him 14th in this year’s MotoGP race, he’s now getting acquainted with the Desmosedici. While no official lap times were released from this test—which coincided with a Michelin tire test for WorldSBK—it’s clear Ducati is evaluating his potential for the upcoming Portimao race in November.
Here’s the bold question: Is Bulega ready for the leap, or is Ducati rushing him into the spotlight? His insistence on testing the bike before racing it shows a level of caution, but with Marquez’s future uncertain, this could be Bulega’s moment to prove he belongs in MotoGP. Whether he’ll replace Marquez at Portimao remains unconfirmed, but one thing’s for sure—this is a story worth watching.
What do you think? Is Bulega the right choice, or should Ducati stick with Pirro? Let us know in the comments below!
