World Superbike's Nicolo Bulega to debut in MotoGP replacing injured Marc Marquez

Ducati has announced that World Superbike runner-up Nicolo Bulega will replace injured MotoGP champion Marc Marquez for the final two rounds of the 2025 season in Portugal and Valencia. Bulega, who recently tested the Ducati GP25 at Jerez, will make his MotoGP debut riding the World Champion bike, a significant step for the young rider who has been part of Ducati's family since 2022. Prior to this opportunity, Bulega had a successful career in World Superbike, finishing second in the 2025 championship and winning the 2023 World Supersport title. Ducati had previously used test rider Michele Pirro to stand in for Marquez, but Bulega’s debut is seen as a strategic move to prepare him for a full-time MotoGP role in the future. Bulega expressed excitement and motivation to gain experience in MotoGP, emphasizing the importance of his recent test laps at Jerez in helping him get up to speed. This decision reflects Ducati's confidence in Bulega as a potential future MotoGP rider alongside Francesco Bagnaia.