MotoGP: Ducati Confirms Nicolò Bulega to Replace Marc Márquez for Final Two MotoGP Rounds of 2025
Ducati has announced that Nicolò Bulega will replace Marc Márquez in the Ducati Lenovo Team for the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimão (November 7-9) and the Valencia Grand Prix, marking the final two events of the 2025 MotoGP season.
Bulega, a 26-year-old Italian rider and the 2025 World Superbike runner-up with Aruba.it Racing Ducati, conducted his first test on the Desmosedici GP at Jerez-Ángel Nieto on October 30. This debut will be his 100th world championship start, comprising 50 races in Moto3 and 49 in Moto2.
Márquez, the 2025 MotoGP world champion, will miss the races due to injury. Specific details on the injury were not disclosed in Ducati's statement.
In a team release, Bulega stated: "I'm very happy to be able to end a season like this one with a last-minute surprise. Making the MotoGP debut is the dream of any kid who aspires to become a rider. Plus, being able to ride the World Champion bike for the final two races of the 2025 makes everything even more exciting. It'll be a big gamble; I have no expectations. I'll take this experience calmly... Thanks to Ducati and Ducati Corse for their trust."
Ducati Corse General Manager Luigi Dall'Igna added: "Nicolò has been part of the Ducati Corse family since 2022... We believed in him, and he repaid us with two seasons as an absolute protagonist in Superbike, where he came close to the title... The opportunity to race in the final two GPs is the best way to begin working in this new role as a test rider."
Bulega joined Ducati in 2022 after competing in MotoGP's junior classes. His achievements include the 2023 World Supersport title, with 10 pole positions and 16 wins, and second-place finishes in World Superbike for both 2024 and 2025. For 2026, he is scheduled to serve as a test rider alongside Michele Pirro, focusing on development with new Pirelli tires.
Online reactions on platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and motorsport news sites have noted the announcement positively, with MotoGP's official account confirming the news and receiving over 900 engagements within hours. Coverage from outlets such as Crash.net and WorldSBK.com highlighted Bulega's transition from Superbike to MotoGP.
The Portuguese GP begins next weekend, with practice sessions starting Friday, November 7. Ducati leads the constructors' standings entering the final rounds.
