After the MotoGP crash: How Nicolo Bulega is faring ahead of his World Championship decider in Cremona

For Nicolo Bulega, this could be the most important weekend of his career so far. At the Superbike World Championship’s home round in Cremona, the Ducati star has the chance to secure his first title in the premier class of the production-based world championship. The Italian says he does not feel any additional pressure as a result.

“No, to be honest, I don’t feel any pressure,” Bulega assured SPEEDWEEK.com during a meeting in Cremona on Thursday. “I’m just delighted that we’re racing in Italy and that I have the chance to win the world championship here in Italy. That’s lovely.”

However, Bulega’s physical condition provided at least as much talking point as the upcoming World Championship showdown. The 26-year-old appeared in the paddock with his shoulder taped up.

The incident happened a few days ago: during a MotoGP test at Mugello, Bulega suffered a heavy crash at around 150 km/h whilst riding Ducati’s new 850cc machine for 2027. Although no fractures were detected at the time, his shoulder began to cause him problems in the days that followed.

Bulega therefore decided not to take part in the next MotoGP test at the Red Bull Ring, scheduled for Monday. It was purely a precautionary measure, as he emphasised in Cremona.

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Bulega: “It didn’t make sense to take any more risks”

“I decided not to take part in the MotoGP test because I had the crash at Mugello,” explained Bulega. “I had a bit of pain in my shoulder, but it really was just a minor issue. I’m fine again now.”

With the important Superbike weekend in mind, the World Championship leader did not want to take any unnecessary risks. “There was no point in taking any more risks before Cremona. As I’ve already said, I want to win here. That’s why I didn’t want to take any extra risks for this race and wanted to be 100 per cent fit.”

Bulega hasn’t been on a motorbike since the crash. Instead, he’s been focusing on treating his shoulder. “I’ve just been doing some physiotherapy. It’s nothing serious,” assured the Ducati rider. “It hurt a bit because I crashed at about 150 km/h. After the crash, I rolled a few metres through the gravel trap. That’s why I needed a bit of physiotherapy, but it’s nothing serious.”

Arriving in the paddock with 920 PS

There was another reason why Bulega stood out on Thursday, apart from his shoulder. The Italian travelled to Cremona in a Lamborghini Temerario. The 920 PS sports car was provided to him by Lamborghini for the race weekend.

“It was lovely,” grinned Bulega when asked about his journey. “To be honest, it’s an incredible car. Lamborghini gave me the car so I could drive it to Cremona. I’ve been driving it for the past two days. It’s fantastic.”

Nicolo Bulega mit dem Objekt der Begierde

Foto: Instagram/Nicolo Bulega

It wasn’t a cheap pleasure, though. When asked whether Lamborghini had at least covered the fuel bill, Bulega replied with a laugh: “No, I paid for the petrol – and that’s enough.”

The story of this unusual company car began as early as the previous race weekend at Magny-Cours. There, Bulega was approached by Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton, who had turned up at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza in a Ferrari F40.

“He’s got a bit more money than me – just a bit,” Bulega joked at the time. “It would be nice if I could have a Lamborghini for free for a week.” His wish was apparently granted. The connection is obvious: Lamborghini, like Ducati’s owner Audi, is part of the Volkswagen Group.

Bulega: “We’re too poor in the Superbike World Championship”

A World Championship title on Sunday, followed by the Lamborghini as a present? Bulega wouldn’t have any objections to that outcome. However, he doesn’t want to buy the Temerario himself. “It’s too expensive. You’ll have to ask Cecconi if he can give it to me as a present,” joked Bulega, addressing Aruba.it team boss Stefano Cecconi. “That wouldn’t be a bad thing. But if I have to pay for it myself… We’re too poor in the Superbike World Championship. I can’t afford to buy one.”

Before he can even think about possible World Championship prizes, however, Bulega has work to do first. He doesn’t expect to gain much of an advantage from the recent Superbike test in Cremona. Due to the onset of rain, he was only able to complete around 30 laps at the time. “We’re practically starting from scratch here,” Bulega therefore made clear.

At least his physical condition should be up to scratch. Despite his taped shoulder, the World Championship leader doesn’t see his heavy crash at Mugello as an obstacle. From Friday onwards, it remains to be seen whether Bulega is indeed back to 100 per cent – and whether he can crown his home race in Cremona with the Superbike World Championship title.