TOPRAK RAZGATLIOGLU SAYS NIC0LO BUGLEGA IS ALREADY ADAPTED FOR DUCATI’S 2027 MOTOGP MOVE

Toprak Razgatlioglu believes Nicolo Bulega is already ahead of the curve for his MotoGP debut season, issuing a warning that the VR46 Ducati newcomer could be strong quickly as the sport moves into the next technical era.

Ducati confirmed ahead of the San Marino Grand Prix that Bulega will join the VR46 MotoGP team next year. The Italian arrives after a dominant run in WorldSBK, and Razgatlioglu says that background—combined with the specific preparation Ducati has given him—could translate into an immediate advantage when the 2027 rules take effect.

Razgatlioglu’s key point was that Bulega has been able to focus on the same tyre brand and the same 850cc platform while others will be forced to adapt. He explained that Bulega has done “only Pirelli tyres test. 850 and Pirelli tyres,” adding that he believes the rider carried out “testing 12 or 14 times.” In Razgatlioglu’s view, that level of targeted work changes the timeline for learning.

“Everyone tries to adapt the bike. He's already adapted,” Razgatlioglu said at Misano on Thursday when asked about what to expect from Bulega in MotoGP. He also suggested that the switch in tyre direction could make the early period of the new rules cycle more competitive across the grid, saying, “I hope because of the different brands, they are more strong now.”

The Pramac rider also framed it as a timing issue: while he himself has had to move into a new environment with Michelin, Bulega has had the chance to build familiarity with Pirelli and the 850cc Ducati before stepping into MotoGP. Razgatlioglu contrasted the two situations directly, saying, “And just starting the testing immediately fast. And this is good for him because I don't have this opportunity. I just moved to the GP Paddock with Michelin.”

Razgatlioglu expects that to show on track. “He will become stronger because everyone tries to adapt the bike. He's already adapted,” he repeated, before adding that Bulega’s transition should be smoother because the speed and riding style demands are close between WorldSBK and the 850cc MotoGP package. “Especially his riding style is like a MotoGP rider,” he said. “And I think he's adapting more easy to 850 because Superbike and 850 is not a big difference; the speed side and riding style very close.”

Asked if he was looking forward to fighting Bulega again, Razgatlioglu indicated he expects the move to be beneficial for the rider’s career. “And also Bulega, for him is a good [time to come to MotoGP],” he said, before stressing that Ducati’s decision is well-timed. “But for him, I think it's the right time to move to MotoGP.”

Razgatlioglu also revealed that he had been pushing Ducati to keep Bulega in its plans for years. “Also when I was racing in Superbike, I'm always the same because I'm always saying to Ducati, keep him and bring him to MotoGP,” he said. “Now, finally, they are bringing him to MotoGP. This is good for him. I hope his career is getting much better.”

With Bulega already involved in development work for Ducati’s 850cc project on Pirelli tyres, Razgatlioglu’s message is clear: the newcomer may not need the usual adjustment period, and could be a factor from the start of his MotoGP chapter.

VR46 chief Pablo Nieto, however, played down the idea that Bulega will arrive with an overwhelming “advantage” simply because he is Ducati’s development rider. Speaking in an interview with TNT Sports during FP1 at this weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix, Nieto said: “That’s one of the main points, because he is the test rider for Ducati, and he’s doing a lot of tests. But also, we know that here in MotoGP, the riders that are competing here will be at an amazing level after one or two days.” He added: “So, it’s going to be hard, of course, but we know that it’s very important that Nicolo knows the bike. He’s making the bike for him, let’s say. Maybe he’ll have some sort of an advantage, but not a lot.”

Nieto also pointed to the scale of Bulega’s preparation, with the expectation that by the end of the current campaign Bulega will have taken part in 10 full days of testing the new prototype, with his feedback likely to influence the direction of the GP27’s development. Nieto noted that Bulega’s familiarity with Pirelli comes from extensive experience in production motorcycle racing, suggesting he may be among the most prepared when the bikes hit the tarmac next year.

Finally, Nieto described Misano as a special weekend for VR46, saying it is “completely different for us” because it is the team’s home race, with “all of the Tifosi” present, friends in the paddock, and the VR46 workshop “just five kilometres from here.” He added that Valentino Rossi is also expected to be there, making it “something special.”