A new name debuted in MotoGP’s Portuguese Grand Prix, As Nicolo Bulega Stepped in to replace the injured Champion, Marc Marquez.
A former member of both Moto2 and 3, Bulega. made his debut in the MotoGP class this weekend in Portimao, racing the factory Ducati of Marc Marquez, who currently sits out injured due to a crash between himself and Italian Marco Bezzecchi. himself was at the centre of controversy during the final round of the WorldSBK championship whilst fighting for the title, as he took out rival Toprak Razgatlioglu whilst attempting to pass the Turkish rider.
Narrowly missing out on the WorldSBK title, Bulega was awarded the opportunity to test the Ducati Lenovo Team’s GP25 in Jerez, with the potential to race in Portimao and Valencia ahead of regular Ducati test rider Michele Pirro. Successful in the test, Bulega joined up with the team in Portimao and impressed instantly, 0.928s off top spot from the first session, remaining roughly 1 second off the pace all weekend. Picking up a point in the main race, was a promising showing, considering the Italian finished less than half a second off Miguel Oliveira, a former race winner at his home circuit.
The weekend wasn’t without its difficulties however for Bulega, who suffered what could be perceived as a ‘strange’ crash in the Sprint race, discovering that tyre adaptation between the Pirellis of the WorldSBK paddock and Michelins of MotoGP was a sticking point. The differentials between the classes mean that MotoGP machines must be stopped in a more gradual, smooth manner. Admitting he struggled to adapt to the gentler braking necessary, the Italian claimed “After two years in Superbike with Pirellis, it’s not easy to change my riding style in one day”.
Bulega however will be able to gain more experience with MotoGP machinery in 2026, as he has signed a contract to be an official test rider for the Ducati factory alongside his WorldSBK title challenge, with potential opportunities arising to head back over to the Grand Prix paddock arising with a change in regulations for 2027, most notably a move to Pirelli tyres which could offer an advantage to the likes of Bulega and Razgatlioglu with their previous experience from WorldSBK.
