Ducati has confirmed that its WorldSBK rider Nicolo Bulega will replace Marc Marquez for the remainder of the 2025 MotoGP season.
Marquez fractured his shoulder in a first-lap collision with Marco Bezzecchi in Indonesia and has since undergone surgery, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Ducati test rider Michele Pirro stood in for the Spaniard in Phillip Island and Sepang, scoring zero points on both outings.
After testing the GP25 at a Jerez session following the conclusion of the WorldSBK campaign, Ducati has chosen Bulega to race with the factory team for the final two rounds in Portimao and Valencia.
“I’m very happy to be able to close out a season like this with a nice last-minute surprise,” said Bulega in a press release.
“Making my MotoGP debut is every kid’s dream who aspires to become a racer.
“Furthermore, being able to ride the world championship-winning bike in the last two races of 2025 makes it even more exciting.
“It will be quite a challenge; I don’t have any specific expectations. I’ll approach this experience with all the necessary calm, also because, for now, I’ve only been able to test the Desmosedici GP at Jerez.
“That said, I certainly have no shortage of motivation to do well and give my all.”
The two-time WorldSBK vice-champion signed with Ducati in 2022, after progressing through World Supersport and rising through the ranks in WorldSBK.
Earlier this year, the 20-time race winner re-signed with Ducati for the 2026 WorldSBK season and will serve as a MotoGP test rider in preparation for the Pirelli tyre change in 2027.
Ahead of his MotoGP debut after previously competing in Moto3 and Moto2, Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna shared: “I’m very happy to see Nicolò working on the Desmosedici GP.
“Nicolò has been part of the Ducati Corse family since 2022, when we wanted him to ride the Supersport bike.
“We believed in him, and he repaid us with two seasons as an absolute protagonist in Superbike, where he came close to the title and became our reference point as a rider.
“Furthermore, for next year we announced his commitment, together with Michele Pirro, in the developing the Desmosedici GP with new tires, and the opportunity to race in the final two GPs is the best way to begin working in this new role as a test rider.
“It will certainly be demanding, but I hope he’ll be able to enjoy this experience: for a young rider, making the debut in the top category of our sport is a great satisfaction.”
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