Following a heavy crash: Nicolo Bulega has to pull out of the next MotoGP test!

Nicolo Bulega’s heavy crash at the MotoGP test in Mugello has not been without consequences. Although no broken bones were detected in the 26-year-old Italian following the crash, he is now experiencing discomfort in his shoulder. As a result, the Ducati star will not be taking part in the next test with the new 850cc Desmosedici at the Red Bull Ring on Monday, as originally planned.

Bulega suffered a heavy crash last Wednesday at Mugello whilst carrying out development runs on Ducati’s new MotoGP prototype for the 2027 season. He was subsequently taken to hospital for examination, where at least fractures could be ruled out.

Initially, it even looked as though Bulega might be able to continue his test programme without any major disruption. The future VR46 MotoGP rider was due to clock up more kilometres on the new 850cc bike at the Red Bull Ring on Monday following the Austrian Grand Prix, alongside Marc Márquez and Fermin Aldeguer. That will no longer be happening.

Shoulder reacted after the Mugello crash

During the night from Thursday to Friday, Bulega complained of inflammation or irritation in his shoulder. As a result, it was decided jointly with Ducati to cancel the test scheduled for Monday. This is to prevent Bulega from aggravating the problem through another MotoGP test. Instead, the Superbike World Championship leader will have a few extra days to recover.

There’s a good reason for this: Bulega already has one of the most important race weekends of the season coming up this weekend with the Superbike World Championship round in Cremona.

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Following his dominant season so far, the Aruba.it Ducati rider heads to his home race in Italy with a comfortable lead and has the chance to secure his first Superbike World Championship title there ahead of schedule.

Cremona is now the priority for Ducati

Against this backdrop, Bulega and Ducati clearly do not want to take any unnecessary risks. Instead of getting back on the MotoGP bike – which reaches speeds well over 300 km/h – on Monday, the 26-year-old is to focus entirely on his recovery.

There isn’t much time left before the start of the Cremona weekend. The first free practice sessions on the Ducati Panigale V4R are already scheduled for Friday. For Bulega, winning the title in Cremona would be the highlight so far of an extraordinary season. After finishing as runner-up in the world championship in each of his first two Superbike years, the Italian is on the verge of his first world title in the top production-based class in 2026.

At the same time, preparations for his future have long been underway. Bulega will move to MotoGP in 2027 and ride a Ducati Desmosedici GP for the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Team. That is why he has been closely involved in the development of the new 850cc machine this year.

Bulega has already tested the prototype several times with the new Pirelli tyres, contributing significantly to the development process. His years of experience with the Italian tyre manufacturer from the Supersport and Superbike World Championships make him particularly valuable to Ducati.

However, following his heavy crash at Mugello, this work will now have to wait. The priority is clear: Bulega’s shoulder needs to recover over the coming days so that the World Championship leader can get back on his Panigale V4R in Cremona with as few physical limitations as possible.