Bulega's MotoGP Debut: A Promising Start Amidst Steep Learning Curve

Nicolo Bulega, the World Superbike Championship runner-up in 2025, recently experienced his first taste of MotoGP machinery, joining the factory Ducati team for the Portuguese and Valencia Grands Prix as a substitute for the injured Marc Marquez.

Bulega secured 15th place in both races, a noteworthy achievement considering Ducati’s lack of points in Sunday races since Marquez’s injury-induced departure. While the results appear straightforward, a deeper analysis reveals the nuances and challenges Bulega faced during his initial MotoGP outings.

Preparation and Adaptation

Bulega’s MotoGP debut could have occurred earlier at the Malaysian Grand Prix in October, following the WSBK season finale. However, he opted to delay his entry, emphasizing the importance of familiarizing himself with the MotoGP bike before competing. He requested Ducati to organize a test session, demonstrating a proactive approach to his transition.

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Ducati arranged a two-day test at Jerez, providing Bulega with the opportunity to adapt to the GP25. Unfortunately, the first day was severely hampered by rain, limiting his track time. On the second day, wet patches persisted, further restricting his mileage to just 30 laps. Despite the limited track time, the test proved valuable, preventing him from entering the Portuguese GP completely unprepared.

Given his experience with the Ducati Panigale V4 R in WSBK, which is known for its physical demands, Bulega arrived feeling better prepared for MotoGP than a typical Moto2 graduate. However, the transition from a superbike to a MotoGP prototype requires significant adaptation. While a MotoGP bike is not dramatically faster, the riding style differs substantially, necessitating rapid learning and adjustments.

Bulega faced numerous challenges, including adapting to carbon brakes, understanding the complexities of the electronics package, and switching from Pirelli tires to Michelins. One of the most significant areas of difficulty was braking, a consequence of the carbon discs and the characteristics of Michelin tires. Initially, Bulega attempted to brake in the same manner as he would on a superbike, but the Michelin front tires required a different approach, as braking too hard at the wrong moment could easily lead to losing the front end.

Portimao Debut: Lessons Learned

The Michelin tires presented a considerable challenge during Bulega’s first MotoGP weekend, as they did not provide the confidence needed to push his limits. He constantly reminded himself to adjust his braking technique, a difficult task given his ingrained habits from riding superbikes.

After qualifying 18th due to a mistake on his final flying lap, Bulega crashed out of the sprint race on lap 4. This early exit, while disappointing, provided an essential lesson for the Italian rider. He rebounded strongly on Sunday, securing a single point by finishing 15th. In doing so, he outperformed Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori and LCR rookie Somkiat Chantra, justifying Ducati’s decision to select him over Michele Pirro.

Valencia Progress: Building Momentum

The Valencia Grand Prix presented a different set of challenges. Unlike Portimao, the Circuit Ricardo Tormo is not featured on the WSBK calendar, and Bulega had not raced there since his Moto2 stint in 2021. This lack of recent track knowledge meant he had to quickly learn the circuit, but it also prevented him from carrying over any WSBK-specific references that might have hindered his MotoGP adaptation.

While still not entirely comfortable with the GP25, Bulega acknowledged that he was improving in certain areas. He noted progress in his braking performance but felt he was losing time mid-corner and exiting turns.

His progress was evident in the qualifying times, as he managed to lap within 1.250 seconds of polesitter Marco Bezzecchi, a significant improvement from being over two seconds off the pace in Portimao. Despite this improvement, the closely packed field resulted in him qualifying 22nd, ahead of Yamaha tester Augusto Fernandez and Chantra.

In the sprint race on Saturday, Bulega capitalized on the situation, overtaking several full-time riders to finish 16th, just seven-tenths of a second behind Alex Rins’ Yamaha and three seconds behind his teammate Francesco Bagnaia.

Expectations were high for Bulega to carry this momentum into Sunday’s race. However, similar to Fabio Quartararo and Bezzecchi earlier in the weekend, he encountered issues with disengaging the holeshot device at the start. This setback dropped him to 22nd place on the opening lap, leaving only Franco Morbidelli, who started from the pits, behind him.

Despite the early setback, Bulega managed to overtake Jorge Martin, Fernandez, and Chantra in the early stages of the race and benefited from retirements ahead of him to secure another point with a 15th-place finish.

Reflecting on his experience, Bulega stated, "The bottom line was that without ever having ridden the bike, while everyone else already has twenty races under their belt, and everyone else is incredibly strong, it was foolish to think I could do more." He expressed satisfaction with his performance and hoped that further familiarization with the bike would enable him to better understand the intricacies of MotoGP.

Bulega found reassurance in the fact that Toprak Razgatlioglu, a three-time WSBK champion, experienced similar difficulties during a private test on the V4-powered Yamaha M1 at Aragon. This comparison reinforced the idea that his challenges stemmed primarily from the transition to new machinery rather than personal limitations.

Bulega’s Results

Session	Portuguese GP	Valencia GP
Practice	17th	24th
Qualifying	18th (+2.118)	22nd (+1.236s)
Sprint	DNF	16th
Race	15th (+32s)	15th (+26s)

Looking Ahead

Bulega’s participation in the Portuguese and Valencia Grands Prix provided him with invaluable experience, which will be beneficial as he assumes the role of Ducati’s test rider in MotoGP.

Despite a challenging period in Moto2, Bulega harbors aspirations of returning to MotoGP in 2027. This coincides with Pirelli replacing Michelin as the official tire supplier and new regulations that aim to bring MotoGP prototypes closer to superbikes. Bulega has consistently expressed his preference for Pirelli tires, and his expertise could prove advantageous to Ducati as they develop a bike for the next generation of rules.

While his involvement in MotoGP is growing, his primary focus remains on WSBK. To secure a future MotoGP seat, success in WSBK will be crucial. With Razgatlioglu’s departure to Pramac Yamaha, Ducati likely expects Bulega to contend for the WSBK title. A championship victory could position him as a strong candidate for a satellite Ducati MotoGP seat in 2027.

[Link to Valencia November test photos]

Bulega’s MotoGP debut showcased his potential and adaptability amidst a steep learning curve. His ability to secure points in both races, despite limited preparation and the inherent challenges of transitioning to a new bike and tire system, demonstrates his talent and determination. As he continues to develop his skills and gain experience, Bulega could emerge as a formidable competitor in the future of MotoGP.