Bulega to replace Marquez for final two MotoGP rounds at Portimao

Ducati confirmed on Friday that World Superbike rider Nicolo Bulega will replace injured MotoGP champion Marc Marquez for the final two rounds of the 2025 season, making his premier-class debut at the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimao next week before racing the season finale in Valencia. Marquez has been sidelined since fracturing his right shoulder in a crash at the Indonesian Grand Prix in early October and will miss the remainder of the campaign.

Bulega, 26, completed a private test on the Ducati Desmosedici GP at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto on Oct. 30, a step he had said he needed before taking on a MotoGP race. Ducati said the test satisfied that condition and that Bulega will join factory rider Francesco Bagnaia for the two rounds. The Italian, who finished runner-up in the 2025 World Superbike Championship with Aruba.it Racing Ducati, will also serve as one of Ducati’s MotoGP test riders in 2026 alongside Michele Pirro.

“Making the MotoGP debut is the dream of any kid who aspires to become a rider,” Bulega said in a statement. “Being able to ride the World Champion bike for the final two races of 2025 makes everything even more exciting. It will be quite a...