Nicolò Bulega will race in MotoGP in 2027 with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team. The official announcement brings one of the strongest WorldSBK contenders into the premier class, closing a loop that began years ago within the VR46 project itself. Next season, Bulega will partner Fermin Aldeguer.
The move comes at the peak of the Italian rider's sporting maturity. Bulega has established himself as a benchmark in the production-derived world championship and now faces his toughest challenge yet: translating the speed and experience gained in Superbike into consistent performance on a MotoGP machine.
A return to his roots
Bulega knows the VR46 environment well. He developed through the pathway linked to Valentino Rossi's Academy and previously competed in the Grand Prix world championships before finding a new competitive dimension across Supersport and Superbike. His return to MotoGP is therefore not a leap in the dark, but a second chance built on results achieved elsewhere.
His career shows how riders' trajectories can be far less linear than they seem. Not everyone reaches the premier class immediately and stays firmly at the top. For some, changing categories allows them to rebuild confidence, refine their riding style, and return as more complete competitors.
The technical challenge will be immense
A MotoGP bike requires profound adaptations compared to a Superbike. Aerodynamics, launch and ride-height devices, electronics, brakes, and above all the ability to exploit far more extreme prototypes are all different. Pure speed is necessary but not sufficient: it demands rapid learning of procedures, tire management, and technical communication with the pit garage.
However, Bulega will have the advantage of joining a setup that understands his history and can craft a targeted adaptation process. The personal connection with the VR46 camp can relieve at least some of the pressure that comes with a debut.
A young pairing for VR46
Teaming up with Aldeguer points to a medium-term strategy. Two relatively young riders allow the team to work on development and build continuity rather than relying solely on immediate experience.
The decision also holds strong national significance. VR46 remains one of the most recognizable projects in Italian motorsport, and bringing Bulega into MotoGP strengthens the bond between the Academy, the team, and the talent pipeline nurtured around Tavullia.
WorldSBK and MotoGP increasingly interconnected
The transfer confirms that the boundary between the two world championships is less rigid than it was in the past. Superbikes do not merely represent a final destination for riders exiting MotoGP: they can also serve as a relaunch path toward prototypes.
For Bulega, 2027 will therefore be a testing ground. Expectations will be high, but the first realistic objective will be to build adaptation and consistency. The most important news, for now, is already set: one of the strongest Italian riders in WorldSBK returns to Grand Prix racing, and does so with the team most closely linked to his roots.
