Italian rider Nicolò Bulega will step up to the MotoGP™ Premier Class with the Ducati Lenovo Team, replacing Marc Márquez for the final two rounds of the 2025 MotoGP season, beginning with the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimão (November 7–9).
Currently the runner-up in the 2024/25 World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK) and the 2023 Supersport World Champion, Bulega will make his highly anticipated debut on the Desmosedici GP, marking another milestone in his already impressive racing journey.
The 26-year-old from Montecchio Emilia recently tested the Ducati Desmosedici GP for the first time at Jerez de la Frontera, preparing to join the MotoGP grid for the very first time — coinciding with his 100th career race in the World Championship, combining appearances from Moto3 and Moto2.
“I’m very happy to end a season like this one with a last-minute surprise,” said Nicolò Bulega (#11). “Making my MotoGP debut is the dream of any kid who aspires to become a rider. Being able to ride the World Champion bike for the final two races makes everything even more exciting.”
“It’ll be a big challenge, and I have no expectations. I’ll take this experience calmly — I’ve only tested the Desmosedici GP once at Jerez — but I’m motivated to do well and give my all. I want to thank Ducati and Ducati Corse for their trust, and everyone in the Aruba.it Racing team for their incredible support throughout this journey.”
Luigi Dall’Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse, expressed his excitement over Bulega’s promotion, highlighting the Italian’s growth and consistency since joining the Ducati family.
“I’m very happy to see Nicolò on the Desmosedici GP,” said Dall’Igna. “He has been part of Ducati Corse since 2022, when we brought him into Supersport, and he repaid our trust with two outstanding seasons in Superbike. He came close to the title and became our key development rider.”
“Next year, Nicolò will work alongside Michele Pirro in developing the Desmosedici GP with new tires. These final two races will be the perfect way to start that journey — both as a challenge and a great personal achievement.”
Born in 1999, Bulega’s career has been a steady climb through the racing ladder. After dominating the MiniGP and PreGP circuits in Italy and Spain, he made his Moto3 World Championship debut in 2015 and earned a pole position and two podiums during his rookie season in 2016.
He then progressed to Moto2 from 2019 to 2021 before joining Ducati’s WorldSSP program in 2022 with Aruba.it Racing, where he brought the Panigale V2 to new heights. His breakthrough came in 2023, when he captured the World Supersport Championship with 10 pole positions and 16 victories.
Transitioning to World Superbike in 2024, Bulega impressed immediately — finishing as runner-up in his rookie season, a result he repeated in 2025, confirming his status as one of Ducati’s brightest future prospects.
Bulega’s debut at Portimão will be followed by the Valencia Grand Prix, the season finale — offering two crucial opportunities for the young Italian to adapt to the Desmosedici GP and gain valuable experience against the world’s best riders.
For Ducati, this move represents not only a strategic preparation for 2026 but also a symbolic moment — rewarding dedication, performance, and the unbroken connection between their factory program and their production-based racing efforts.
As the season heads toward its dramatic close, Nicolò Bulega will not only fulfill a childhood dream but also carry the hopes of Ducati fans worldwide — marking the beginning of a promising new chapter for both rider and manufacturer.
Credit Photo : Ducati Corse
