Trackhouse target: Aprilia Director urges Nicolo Bulega to swap Ducati for new ride

Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images Ducati, Trackhouse linked to WorldSBK star Nicolo Bulega Trackhouse Racing is being mentioned as a possible next stop for Nicolo Bulega if he wants a full-time MotoGP seat in 2027, and it may mean leaving Ducati. Bulega was looking likely to join a Ducati satellite team next year after making an impression while filling in for the injured Marc Marquez late in 2025. He also took on the role of Desmosedici test rider.

But that path now seems less certain, and his manager, Alberto Martinelli, hasn’t committed to Bulega staying with Ducati beyond this season. Nicolo Bulega drawing interest from Trackhouse as Sterlacchini backs potential move Photo by Roberto Tommasini/NurPhoto via Getty Images Nicolo Bulega has been recently linked with a move to Trackhouse, where there’s at least one open seat following Ai Ogura’s switch to Yamaha. Davide Brivio, who runs the team, has shown interest in the Italian rider, and now it seems Aprilia technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini is also in favour of the idea.

Both Ogura and Raul Fernandez are under contract with Trackhouse directly, but Aprilia could still have a say in who ends up riding their RS-GP bikes for the satellite squad next year. Aprilia already have an all-Italian line-up with Francesco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi, so bringing in another high-profile Italian like Bulega fits nicely into their plans. Bulega isn’t the only name being discussed for Trackhouse.

Joan Mir has also been linked to one of the seats, which means there will be plenty of competition for those two available spots. The six Ducati MotoGP riders for 2027, according to rumours Ducati are widely expected to pair Pedro Acosta with Marc Marquez next year, while Bagnaia heads off in the opposite direction towards Aprilia. Despite some early doubts about their futures with Ducati, both Gresini and VR46 are expected to renew their partnerships.