After a heavy MotoGP crash: Bulega has just a few days left until Cremona

A scare for Nicolo Bulega: the clear leader of the Superbike World Championship suffered a heavy crash whilst testing Ducati’s new MotoGP bike for 2027 at Mugello. The timing is particularly unfortunate: the next Superbike weekend is already scheduled for 25–27 September in Cremona – where Bulega could be crowned world champion in front of his home crowd.

On Wednesday, the 26-year-old was riding the new 850cc Ducati, which is being developed to comply with the MotoGP regulations coming into force in 2027. On the second and final day of testing, Bulega crashed around midday on the fast Arrabbiata 2 corner. According to media reports, the Ducati rider was thrown from his bike by a highside and was subsequently taken to hospital for further examination.

The most important news followed shortly afterwards: Bulega has not suffered any broken bones or other serious injuries. He has already been discharged from hospital. Nevertheless, the violent impact is likely to have taken its toll – and time for recovery is short.

The World Championship decider awaits in Cremona

For Bulega, his next outing on his Ducati Panigale V4R is about far more than just securing further race wins. Following his perfect weekend at Magny-Cours, the Italian has the chance in Cremona to clinch the Superbike World Championship title ahead of schedule. In France, Bulega won all three races and further extended his already comfortable lead. With 553 points, he is well ahead of his Aruba.it Ducati team-mate Iker Lecuona, who has collected 407 points so far.

Bulega therefore heads to Cremona with a 146-point lead. Following his successful weekend at Magny-Cours, he made it clear just how much winning the title at his home race in Italy would mean to him. “I want to win the championship in Cremona because that’s my home,” explained the Ducati rider. “It’s Ducati’s home, it’s in Italy and I’m Italian. That would be fantastic.”

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However, during the short break between Magny-Cours and Cremona of all times, Bulega’s additional role as a MotoGP test rider has now presented an unexpected risk.

MotoGP test work in preparation for 2027 Ducati has been closely involving Bulega in the development of the new Desmosedici GP for some time now. The Superbike star has already tested the 850cc machine on several occasions, whilst at the same time gaining valuable experience for his own future.

From 2027, Bulega will leave the Superbike World Championship and move to MotoGP as a regular rider for the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Team. There he will join Fermin Aldeguer and remain part of the Ducati project. Bulega’s experience with Pirelli tyres makes him particularly valuable for the development programme. The Italian tyre manufacturer will replace Michelin as the official tyre supplier for MotoGP in 2027. Bulega knows the characteristics of Pirelli tyres inside out from his years in the Supersport World Championship and the Superbike World Championship.