Bulega completes remarkable return to MotoGP paddock with VR46
WorldSBK's dominant force Nicolò Bulega will make the jump to MotoGP with Pertamina Enduro VR46 in 2027, completing a remarkable journey back to where it all began.
Nicolò Bulega will become a full-time MotoGP rider in 2027 after agreeing to join Pertamina Enduro VR46 alongside Fermín Aldeguer.
And if ever there was an advert for taking the scenic route, this is probably it.
Bulega first appeared on the world stage as a VR46 Academy youngster, winning the 2015 FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship before progressing through Moto3 and Moto2.
It didn't quite happen for him.
So, he went somewhere else, regrouped and realised the talent he had shown in his remarkable junior career.
The switch to production machinery in 2022 has transformed Bulega's career. He won the WorldSSP title at the second attempt, moved into WorldSBK with factory Ducati and finished runner-up in each of his first two seasons.
This year has been altogether sillier.
Bulega has won 26 of the 27 WorldSBK races held so far and arrives at Cremona with the opportunity to wrap up the championship on home soil.
Now MotoGP has come calling again.
"Making it to MotoGP is a dream," said Bulega. "I chose this team because I've always been linked to them. I was in the VR46 Riders Academy when I was a child, so I know everyone very well."
He also acknowledged that his route to the top class has been anything but conventional.
"It took me a little longer and I did a different journey compared to the usual one. For sure, it's amazing and I'm very proud."
The move makes plenty of technical sense too. Bulega is already part of Ducati's MotoGP testing programme and has been involved in development of the new 850cc machinery which arrives with the major 2027 regulation change.
Ducati Corse boss Gigi Dall'Igna believes the timing is right.
"We think the right moment to embark on this new challenge has arrived," he said, describing VR46 as "the ideal environment" for Bulega's adaptation to MotoGP.
VR46 team director Alessio Salucci knows him rather better than most.
"We've known him for many years, he started his career with us," said Salucci. "We know he is a very talented rider and he proved that both in the past and currently, by dominating WorldSBK."
It also closes a rather satisfying circle.
Bulega left the Grand Prix paddock after 2021 with a career that appeared to have stalled. Six years later he'll return to it as a MotoGP rider, Ducati development man and, barring something fairly extraordinary over the remaining WorldSBK rounds, a World Champion.
Sometimes the long way round turns out to be the right one.
