Nadia Padovani unlikely to accept Ducati’s push to place Nicolo Bulega at Gresini for 2027
Photo by Hazrin Yeob Men Shah/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images There’s talk that VR46 are set to sign Fermin Aldeguer, but Gresini boss Nadia Padovani isn’t interested in letting Ducati send Nicolo Bulega their way for the 2027 MotoGP season. Aldeguer made his debut with Gresini in 2025, after Ducati picked them over VR46 as the team they wanted the Spaniard to join. But now, it looks like Ducati are ready to shift him to VR46 next season.
Ducati upset Padovani by moving Aldeguer over to VR46, even though he was originally offered during talks to keep VR46 as a satellite team. Aldeguer is still under contract with Ducati, and they’re expected to renew it. The switch is part of a broader contract decision by Ducati that keeps Aldeguer tied to them through 2028.
Meanwhile, Gresini have more changes ahead – with reports linking Alex Marquez to KTM from 2027, they’ll be looking for two new riders for that season. Gresini will only sign Nicolo Bulega over Enea Bastianini for 2027 if Nadia Padovani agrees Photo by Stephen Blackberry/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Recent reports have also suggested that Padovani has now decided to replace Aldeguer and Marquez with Tech3 rider Enea Bastianini and Moto2 wonder Daniel Holgado. It is even said that Gresini will soon confirm the signings of Bastianini and Holgado for the 2027 campaign.
Now, though, reports that while Padovani is open to a return for Bastianini, who last raced for Gresini in 2022, she is in ‘no rush’ and won’t be pressured into a decision. The report also adds that Gresini aren’t interested in having Bulega forced upon them as part of his move to MotoGP. Bulega has made it clear he wants to step up from World Superbikes at the end of the season, but options are limited.
The factory Ducati seats are already filled, and VR46 are expected to pair Aldeguer with Fabio Di Giannantonio. With no plans for Ducati to add another satellite team, Gresini remains their best—and possibly only—option. However, Padovani isn’t willing to accept a rider just because Ducati says so; she’ll only bring in Bulega if she feels he’s the right fit.