NEIL HODGSON SAYS VALENTINO ROSSI COULD WIN HIS FIRST TEAM OWNER TITLE IN 2027

Neil Hodgson believes Valentino Rossi could reach a “new first” in MotoGP in 2027—not as a rider, but as the owner of the VR46 Racing team. Hodgson’s view centers on the idea that Rossi’s CV in Grand Prix motorcycle racing is already packed with major achievements, yet one milestone remains missing: a world championship won with VR46 as a team. As things stand heading into the 2026 season, VR46 have not yet truly challenged for the MotoGP title. Their best riders’ championship showing so far has been Marco Bezzecchi’s third place in 2023, while in the team standings VR46’s furthest run has also been third.

Hodgson thinks the pieces are in place for 2027 to change. A key factor is VR46’s confirmed rider recruitment: Fermin Aldeguer has been set to move from Gresini Racing to VR46 for the 2027 campaign, following Rossi’s team becoming Ducati’s official satellite outfit. Alongside Aldeguer, Nicolo Bulega is expected to join Tavullia for his first full MotoGP season. Bulega’s background also matters in Hodgson’s assessment, because he is already working as a Ducati development rider for the new 850cc bike.

Speaking during TNT Sports’ live coverage of practice at the Aragon Grand Prix, Sylvain Guintoli highlighted what the move signals about the team’s direction. “I’d say it was a very well-deserved extended contract, and it looks like there is a lot of trust going into the VR46 team,” Guintoli said. He added that the combination of Aldeguer and the anticipated arrival of Bulega could bring VR46 close to the level of a factory squad: “They’ve got Aldeguer in that team next year… we’re expecting Bulega to be going there as well… It looks like we’re going to get as close as it gets to another factory team on the grid next year.”

Hodgson echoed that factory-level closeness, but with a specific emphasis on the “unfair advantage” Bulega could carry into his rookie full season. In his response to Guintoli’s comments, Hodgson framed the potential title as something that would be historically significant for Rossi as an owner. “Yeah, like Pramac was,” he said, before adding: “As in, it’s Valentino Rossi’s first time as a MotoGP team owner where he can really fight for a world title.”

He also pointed to the timing of the new rules and Bulega’s Ducati development role as reasons VR46 might be among the favourites. “I know Diggia is in the mix this year, and I don’t want to be doing him a disservice, but with the blank sheet of the new rules for next year, and Bulega being a development rider for Ducati… they could be one of the favourites.”

While Hodgson acknowledged that it is still uncertain whether Bulega will immediately translate that development experience into instant results under race conditions, the overarching message from the discussion is clear: a world title for VR46 in 2027 would represent a major “first” for Rossi, completing the team-owner chapter of his MotoGP legacy.