Nicolo Bulega’s Challenge in MotoGP and the Road Ahead
Nicolo Bulega, a rider from the World Superbike Championship who has been stepping in for Marc Marquez on the factory Ducati, has shared insights into the challenges he faced while adapting to the Michelin tyres used in MotoGP. His experience highlights the differences between the two racing series, especially when it comes to braking performance.
Bulega’s participation in MotoGP is not just a test of his skills but also an opportunity to contribute to the development of the 2027 Ducati MotoGP machine. The transition of MotoGP to Pirelli tyres in 2027 could be a game-changer for him, provided he secures a ride in the category.
During his debut in Portugal, Bulega managed to score a point with a 15th place finish. However, his focus was on understanding the nuances of the Michelin front tyre, which he found less responsive under braking compared to the Pirelli tyres used in World Superbike.
The switch to Pirelli tyres in 2027 is a significant factor in Bulega’s interest in continuing his MotoGP journey. This change, along with potential rule adjustments, could make the 2027 season more appealing for riders like him.
Adjusting Riding Style for New Tyres
Bulega’s experience in the MotoGP race highlighted the need for a different approach to riding. He qualified 18th but failed to finish the Saturday sprint due to a mistake under braking. This incident made him reflect on his expectations and the need to recalibrate his strategy for the Sunday race.
“Honestly, for me today it was very important to finish the race, because yesterday I made an inexperienced mistake,” said Bulega after the grand prix. “My only target today was just to finish the race. On the first lap, I was very calm. I was just trying to warm the front tyre to understand how to brake.”
Throughout the race, Bulega repeatedly reminded himself to avoid braking as he would on a Pirelli tyre. “The Pirelli [World Superbike tyre] gives you more confidence. So for me it’s more difficult coming from Superbikes to MotoGP, because you come from a bike that gives you a lot of confidence to MotoGP with a Michelin that doesn’t give you a lot of confidence.”
He continued this mental reminder throughout the race, which made the initial laps challenging. “I repeated in my mind all the race, ‘Don’t brake like it’s a superbike, don’t brake like it’s a superbike!’ So it was a bit difficult on the first lap. Then, when I caught Miguel Oliveira and the guys in front, I made a mistake at Turn 5. I went very wide and I lost two or three seconds.”
Learning Curve and Future Prospects
Setting his fastest lap on lap 23 of 25, when most riders did so early in the race, gave Bulega a clear view of his learning curve. “In the last laps, I was trying to adapt my riding style to the bike, and I think I understood some things that are interesting. I will try to [apply these] from the beginning [next weekend] in Valencia. My best lap was with two laps to go, when the tyre was already finished. I was catching the guys in front, but then the race was finished.”
Bulega admitted that he was not yet riding naturally. “So for me now, I’m not riding naturally. I’m thinking about what I have to do on the bike. When you ride like this, it’s difficult to go fast.”
With Marc Marquez expected to return to his seat next season, Bulega’s participation in the 2025 Valencia finale might be his last MotoGP outing unless circumstances change. However, he has expressed interest in securing a contract for 2027, particularly given the competition with Toprak Razgatlioglu, who is set to move to MotoGP next year.
The Appeal of 2027
Bulega sees the 2027 season as an attractive opportunity, not just because of the Pirelli tyres but also due to potential rule changes that could make the bikes more similar to those in World Superbike.
“When I saw Toprak go to MotoGP and then I saw that in 2027 there will be the Pirelli tyre, I thought, ‘I’m fighting with Toprak, he’s going to MotoGP, in 2027 there will be the Pirelli,’ so my idea has changed a bit. So yes, I would like [to do MotoGP], especially in 2027, when the bikes will be a little easier and a little more similar to the superbike.”