Severe crash on the 850cc Ducati: Nicolo Bulega had to be taken to hospital

The development of the new Ducati Desmosedici GP27 for the 2027 MotoGP season has suffered a setback. Nicolo Bulega suffered a heavy crash on Wednesday whilst riding the 850cc prototype during a private test at Mugello and was subsequently taken to hospital for further examinations.

The accident occurred around midday on the second and final day of testing. According to consistent media reports, Bulega was thrown from the bike by a highside on the fast Arrabbiata 2 corner.

Given the speed at this section of the track, the crash initially caused great concern. However, the hospital examinations gave the all-clear: Bulega did not suffer any broken bones or other serious injuries. The 26-year-old has already been discharged from hospital and has set off for home.

Bulega was setting fast times on the new Ducati

Up until the crash, Bulega had been continuing his development work with the new Desmosedici. At Mugello on Wednesday, he is reported to have clocked a lap time of 1:46.5 minutes. This was just seven tenths of a second slower than his personal best set on the 850cc bike during a previous test on the same circuit.

Bulega is playing a key role in the preparations for the new MotoGP era. Ducati has already put the current Superbike World Championship leader on the 850cc prototype several times this year. His extensive experience with Pirelli is particularly valuable, as the Italians are set to replace Michelin as the official tyre supplier for MotoGP in 2027.

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During the recent MotoGP race weekend at Misano, Bulega spoke positively about his experiences with the new bike so far. The Ducati 850 prototype suits him very well, the Italian explained. He particularly likes the new Pirelli tyres, as he knows them very well from the Superbike World Championship.

Bulega had already been impressed by the development progress of the new Desmosedici during earlier tests. Despite the smaller displacement and reduced power, the gap in lap times compared to the current 1000cc machines is surprisingly small. The future MotoGP rider spoke of a very good foundation.

From test rider to MotoGP regular in 2027

For Bulega, the test sessions have now taken on even greater significance. Last week, it was officially confirmed that the 26-year-old will move up to MotoGP as a regular rider in 2027. He is returning to the VR46 team, for which he raced at the start of his Grand Prix career.

This means Bulega is currently helping to develop the very bike he will be riding himself next year. As well as gaining experience with the new Ducati and Pirelli tyres, he already has some initial MotoGP racing experience: at the end of 2025, he stood in for the injured Marc Marquez in the Ducati works team for the final two races of the season.

His path back to the Grand Prix paddock is an unusual one. Following a difficult spell in Moto3 and Moto2, Bulega moved to the Supersport World Championship in 2022. It was there that he made his breakthrough with Ducati. In 2023, he became World Champion, before moving up to the factory Superbike team and finishing as runner-up in the World Championship in both 2024 and 2025. In the current season, Bulega is dominating the Superbike World Championship and is on the verge of winning the title. At the same time, he has become increasingly involved in Ducati’s MotoGP development programme.

Next 850cc test now in doubt

The crash at Mugello could disrupt this programme, at least in the short term. The next important test with the new 850cc machines is scheduled for the Red Bull Ring on the Monday following the Austrian Grand Prix. Several regular MotoGP riders are set to take to the track there for the first time with the 2027 prototypes.

Whether Bulega will be able to take part following his heavy crash remains to be seen. His participation is currently in doubt. For Ducati, Marc Marquez and Bulega’s future VR46 team-mate Fermin Aldeguer, amongst others, could be called upon.

However, Bulega’s physical condition is likely to be even more important with a view to the Superbike World Championship. The third-last race weekend of the season is scheduled to take place in Cremona from 25 to 27 September. There, the Ducati rider could crown his outstanding season so far by securing the World Championship title ahead of schedule. Following the violent highside at Mugello, the most important news for now is therefore that Bulega escaped serious injury.