Nicolo Bulega has taken a major step toward a potential MotoGP debut after completing his first test on Ducati’s Desmosedici GP bike — amid speculation he could replace the injured Marc Marquez for the final rounds of 2025.
The WorldSBK star, who finished runner-up to Toprak Razgatlioglu in this year’s championship with Aruba.it Racing Ducati, tested the MotoGP machine at the Circuito de Jerez–Ángel Nieto. The session fulfilled Bulega’s request to get seat time before any possible race appearance.
Marquez remains sidelined after fracturing his right shoulder in a crash with Marco Bezzecchi at the Indonesian Grand Prix, leaving Ducati searching for a competitive temporary replacement.
While Ducati’s official test rider Michele Pirro has stood in for Marquez at Phillip Island and Sepang, his 18th and 17th-place finishes have raised doubts. With Ducati already having secured all three MotoGP titles this season, the team is reportedly open to giving Bulega the opportunity to gain valuable experience ahead of his expected MotoGP testing role in 2026.
Bulega’s dominant performances in WorldSBK — including a triple victory at Jerez just two weeks ago — have only strengthened his case. His Superpole time during that weekend would have been fast enough to start 14th in MotoGP earlier this year.
No lap times from the test have been made public, and Ducati has yet to confirm whether Bulega will line up alongside Francesco Bagnaia at the next MotoGP round in Portimão (7–9 November).
