Valentino Rossi on Bulega’s return: “Over the moon and very proud”

The VR46 Riders Academy is a training programme founded by Valentino Rossi whilst he was still an active rider. At his ranch in Tavullia, Italy, the nine-time world champion nurtured and trained young racing drivers to prepare them for a path into the World Championship and ultimately MotoGP. To this end, Rossi set up his own team, which he initially entered into the Moto3 series.

During this time, a certain Nicolò Bulega caught the eye of Rossi and his team. Now aged 26, he made his debut with the Sky Racing Team VR46 at the Moto3 season finale in Valencia. After three years in the lowest category (2016–2018), he spent a year in Moto2. However, success eluded him and the partnership came to an end in late 2019.

In the production-based world championship, Bulega gave his career a new lease of life. Riding for Aruba.it Ducati, the Italian won the 2023 Supersport World Championship and subsequently moved up to the Superbike World Championship. After two runner-up titles, Bulega is on the verge of winning the top category this year.

Following weeks of speculation, the VR46 team announced on 9 September that Nicolò Bulega had been signed for MotoGP. This brings things full circle, and Rossi welcomes his compatriot with open arms – after all, it is a belated recognition of the hard work put in.

“I’m over the moon and very proud. It’s a lovely story, because Nicolò started out with us at the academy,” said the former MotoGP star, referring to their shared history. “We helped him a great deal at the start of his career. Everyone expected a lot from him right from the off, but perhaps he simply wasn’t ready yet or just had a run of bad luck, and so we parted ways. In the Superbike paddock, he’s done a fantastic job, found his feet again and become world champion. He knows the tyres and the new bike because he’s the test rider. So I think it could be fun working with him.”

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